cayenne pepper

noun

: a pungent condiment consisting of the ground dried fruits or seeds of hot peppers

: hot pepper

especially : any of several cultivated peppers of a variety (Capsicum annuum longum) with very long twisted pungent red fruits

: the fruit of a cayenne pepper

Examples of cayenne pepper in a Sentence

a dash of cayenne pepper

Recent Examples on the Web The only seasonings in this corn casserole are salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. —

Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 Aug. 2024 The scale places a jalapeño pepper at 2,000 to 8,000 Scoville heat units (SHU) and a cayenne pepper at 30,000 to 50,000 SHU. —

Isabel Yip, NBC News, 17 July 2024 For additional seasoning on the fries (added before air frying), consider chili powder, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper. —

Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 July 2024 Garlic, onion, salt, cayenne pepper, and chili powder are all great options that add a little spice and pizazz to your pickles. —

Amber Love Bond, Southern Living, 7 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for cayenne pepper

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cayenne pepper.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

by folk etymology from earlier cayan, ultimately modification of Tupi kɨʔɨ̃já, kɨʔɨ̃nʸá

First Known Use

1756, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of cayenne pepper was in 1756

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cayenne pepper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cayenne%20pepper. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.

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