pimiento
Americannoun
-
the ripe, red, mild-flavored fruit of the sweet or bell pepper, Capsicum annuum, used as a vegetable, relish, to stuff olives, etc.
-
the plant itself.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of pimiento
First recorded in 1835–45; see origin at pimento
Explanation
A pimiento is a type of sweet red pepper that's often found stuffed inside green olives or used to add a mild, tangy flavor to various dishes. The word pimiento comes from the Spanish word for "pepper" and refers to a specific variety of mild, sweet red pepper. Unlike spicier peppers, the pimiento is known for its gentle sweetness and is often used in a variety of culinary dishes. Because it has a pretty tough skin, it's usually cooked before it's used. Chopped up, it's a key ingredient in pimiento cheese, a popular spread in the Southern United States. Small pieces of pimiento are sometimes used to stuff snacking olives, and this pepper is also dried and ground up to make a popular spice called paprika.
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:
In addition to typical sports bar fare, expect braised collards, catfish nuggets and plenty of pimiento cheese.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 21, 2023
At that point, Cafe 212 went grocery-store style, offering only pre-made items like chicken salad and pimiento cheese.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 5, 2020
He suggested the addition of diced ham, or minced clams, shucked oysters or a handful of slivered pimiento.
From New York Times ● Nov. 22, 2017
A pimiento cheeseburger with a shot of the Joint's signature horseradish Mojo sauce.
From Southern Living ● May 21, 2012
Then the two of us had pimiento cheese sandwiches and sweet tea for lunch.
From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor
Well, you know those pimientos you get stuffed in olives?
From The Guardian ● Apr. 10, 2018
Mix one glass of nut butter with two tablespoonfuls of olive oil and one tablespoonful of chopped pimientos.
From Sandwiches by Rorer, Sarah Tyson Heston
Olives rival pimientos for such mildly piquant blends that just suit the bland American taste.
From The Complete Book of Cheese by Brown, Robert Carlton
She made a charming little picture, as she sat amongst the scarlet pimientos and the yellow lemons waiting for custom.
From The Fortunate Isles Life and Travel in Majorca, Minorca and Iviza by Boyd, Mary Stuart
While most of them are sweet, some are made piquant with pimientos and olives.
From The Complete Book of Cheese by Brown, Robert Carlton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
