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Definition of "capsicum" [cap•si•cum]

  • Any of various tropical American pepper plants of the genus Capsicum, especially any of the numerous cultivated forms of the species C. annuum and C. frutescens. (noun)
  • The fruit of any of these plants, especially the dried pungent types used as a condiment and in medicine. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "capsicum" in a sentence
  • "Contrary to popular belief, hot, spicy food may actually be good for your health, that is, if it contains liberal amounts of cayenne, also known as capsicum."
  • "It is what you would call capsicum, but it is not quite like your pepper because it is distilled from a native root."
  • "Capsicum annuum, the common long-podded capsicum, which is cultivated in our gardens, and of which there are two varieties, one with red, and another with yellow fruit."