chili powder

American

[chil-ee pou-der] / ˈtʃɪl i ˌpaʊ dər /

noun

a powdered seasoning of dried chiles, or a mixture of ground chiles with other spices, as cumin, oregano, garlic, etc.

Etymology

Origin of chili powder

An Americanism dating back to 1955–60

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.

I made my request: an overloaded omelet stuffed with every possible vegetable and cheese, and seasoned with smoked paprika, chili powder, salt and pepper.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

He tinkered around with the idea and developed a flash-frozen burrito filled with beef, beans and red chili powder.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

As a child, I loved eating ribs doused in sweet tangy KC BBQ sauce made with molasses, acidic vinegar and spicy chili powder alongside my cousins.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 23, 2024

You can add spice and flavor to your dishes while minimizing or eliminating reliance on chili powder.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024

He tastes the meat and sprinkles more chili powder on top.

From "Zara’s Rules for Record-Breaking Fun" by Hena Khan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023