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capsicum

American  
[kap-si-kuhm] / ˈkæp sɪ kəm /

noun

capsicums plural
  1. any plant of the genus Capsicum, of the nightshade family, as C. annuum, the common pepper of the garden, occurring in many varieties.

  2. the fruit of such a plant or some preparation of it, used as a condiment and intestinal stimulant.


capsicum British  
/ ˈkæpsɪkəm /

noun

  1. any tropical American plant of the solanaceous genus Capsicum, such as C. frutescens, having mild or pungent seeds enclosed in a pod-shaped or bell-shaped fruit

  2. the fruit of any of these plants, used as a vegetable or ground to produce a condiment

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of capsicum

1655–65; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin caps ( a ) case 2 + -icum, neuter of -icus -ic

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It said average prices for fruit and vegetables dipped 12% with berries, lettuce, cucumbers, capsicum, and tomatoes all declining "materially", the company said.

From Reuters Oct. 25, 2023

Diets following this pattern should deliver ample iron from meats, breads and cereals, as well as iron absorption promotors such as oranges, capsicum and other fresh fruits and vegetables?.

From Salon Sep. 13, 2023

The CaJohn’s gum has the same active ingredient as police-grade pepper spray, oleoresin capsicum.

From Washington Times Apr. 8, 2023

The board first voted in early 2019 to ban all juvenile detention facilities from deploying pepper spray, also known as oleoresin capsicum or OC spray.

From Los Angeles Times Dec. 20, 2022

Add three oysters, a nutmeg, a teacupful of brown sugar, and a capsicum.

From Punch - Volume 25 (Jul-Dec 1853) by Various

However, the researchers expect similar benefits from other vitamin C rich foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables such as citrus, berries, capsicums and broccoli.

From Science Daily Dec. 26, 2025

Salicylates occur naturally in many healthy foods, including apples, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, cucumbers, capsicums, nuts, seeds, spices and some grains.

From Salon May 28, 2024

At the local organic vegetable market, the harried grocer displays capsicums, cauliflower and potatoes naked, but sells them in fastened plastic bags.

From The Guardian Aug. 19, 2019

The warning was warranted as the two very experienced chiliheads sweated, writhed in pain and briefly lost the ability to speak after each chewing and swallowing one of the bright-red capsicums.

From The Wall Street Journal Mar. 26, 2013

In default of black pepper, we took with us some red capsicums; but the most precious of our acquisitions was the powder and shot I had received in exchange for the telescope.

From Adventures of a Young Naturalist by Gillmore, Parker

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