jalapeño

noun

ja·​la·​pe·​ño ˌhä-lə-ˈpā-(ˌ)nyō How to pronounce jalapeño (audio)
ˌha-,
-ˈpā-(ˌ)nō,
-ˈpē-(ˌ)nō How to pronounce jalapeño (audio)
variants or less commonly jalapeno
plural jalapeños also jalapenos
: a small plump dark green chili pepper of Mexico and the southern U.S.

called also jalapeño pepper

Examples of jalapeño in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Other products with a high concentration of Mexican imports include tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, jalapenos, limes and mangos. Max Zahn, ABC News, 3 Mar. 2025 Its fiery alter ego features a Caliente Sauce made with red jalapenos. Tanasia Kenney, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025 Put the beans in a serving dish, top with jalapenos and pico, and dig in. Audrey Bruno, SELF, 6 Feb. 2025 On the menu: Outside of chicken, beef or jalapeno cheese tamales, Hot Tamale also serves carnitas tacos, giant quesadillas and chimichanga platters. Jason Clayworth, Axios, 26 Feb. 2025 Summary Bell peppers come from the Capsicum genus, along with spicier peppers such as chili and jalapeno. Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 24 Feb. 2025 Americans also revealed their favorite picks for different types of food to eat during the Super Bowl, such as the spicy category, for which 50 percent chose wings, followed by jalapeno poppers (29 percent) and chili (24 percent). Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 Hot Peppers Hot peppers like jalapenos, habaneros, and serrano peppers contain capsaicin, which may contribute to inflammation. Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Health, 3 Feb. 2025 It is expected that if the tariffs go into effect, tomatoes, avocados, cucumbers, jalapenos, limes, mangos, and other typical produce imports from Mexico will increase in price. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish, from jalapeño, adjective, of Jalapa

First Known Use

1931, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of jalapeño was in 1931

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Jalapeño.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jalape%C3%B1o. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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