nacho

noun

na·​cho ˈnä-(ˌ)chō How to pronounce nacho (audio)
plural nachos
: a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional savory toppings (such as hot peppers or refried beans)

Examples of nacho in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Most of the time, Sudeikis orders the daily special, which includes a Sancho, a nacho, a hard-shell taco and a medium drink for $10.99. Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024 The air near many of the concession stands wafting the scent of nacho cheese. Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press, 28 Jan. 2024 The Super Bowl, an annual masterclass in snack capitalism, is responsible for this monument, seeing the Luxor pyramid (a.k.a. hotel and casino) boast a gigantic nacho chip on one of its triangular faces. Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 9 Feb. 2024 Customers nationwide will also be able to add vegan nacho sauce to their orders, which according to a Taco Bell spokesperson, is made from a chickpea and soy base, and it's certified by the American Vegetarian Association. Sam Burros, Peoplemag, 3 Oct. 2023 The dip, made from a chickpea and soy base, will go particularly well with the chain’s nacho fries, which made a return to the menu in late September. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 12 Oct. 2023 On Tuesday, the brand revealed a collaboration with flavor innovator company Empirical: a nacho cheese spirit. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 12 Dec. 2023 Plus, witness the giant nacho that pulled off a record-setting cheese stretch. CNN, 20 Sep. 2023 Where to Après-ski Merlin's Bar & Grill At Blackcomb, Merlin's is famous for its giant nacho plates, rowdy ambience, and karaoke nights. Julia Eskins, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nacho.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from Spanish Nacho, hypocoristic form of the personal name Ignacio

Note: According to a story that apparently first appeared in the San Antonio Express on May 23, 1954 ("Nacho's? Natch!", by Clarence D. LaRoche, p. 3H), the dish was devised in 1940 by Ignacio "Nacho" Anaya García (1895-1975), a waiter (in other versions a maitre d' or chef) at a restaurant in Piedras Negras, Mexico. As related by LaRoche and in later versions, the story has stock elements of a culinary origin myth: late in the day a waiter or chef is pressed to come up with food to satisfy hungry customers and with limited ingredients left in the kitchen invents a new dish. Similar stories purport to explain the origins of other eponymous dishes, as the Reuben sandwich, Buffalo wings and Caesar salad. Though a print connection between "Nacho" Anaya and nachos is relatively early—predating the popularity of the snack outside south Texas—the first citations for nacho, in 1948 and 1949, make no reference to him.

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nacho was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near nacho

Cite this Entry

“Nacho.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nacho. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nacho

noun
na·​cho ˈnä-chō How to pronounce nacho (audio)
plural nachos
: a tortilla chip topped with melted cheese and often additional toppings (as hot peppers or refried beans)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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