pimento

[ pi-men-toh ]

noun

, plural pi·men·tos.

1. pimiento.
2. allspice.
3. Also called Chinese vermilion, Harrison red, a vivid red color.

pimento

/ pɪˈmɛntəʊ /

noun

1. another name for allspice pimiento

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimento¹

1665–75; alteration of Spanish pimiento pepper plant, masculine derivative of pimienta pepper fruit < Late Latin pigmenta spiced drink, spice, pepper, plural (taken as singular) of Latin pigmentum pigment

Word History and Origins

Origin of pimento¹

C17: from Spanish pimiento pepper plant, from Medieval Latin pigmenta spiced drink, from Latin pigmentum pigment

Example Sentences

The pastries look as if they were overnighted from Paris, even as the signature breakfast sandwich — a biscuit with fried chicken, pimento cheese and hot honey — showcases Southern cuisine.

From New York Times

“It’s fantastic, actually,” Murray said of the pimento sandwich.

From Seattle Times

Lily called it pimento cheese, but Cat was suspicious.

From Literature

She was also a grandmother who kept sending her grandson birthday cards stuffed with $20 bills well into his 40s, and made pimento sandwiches to hand out to family members and even strangers on flights.

From New York Times

Even so, Jason Carter said his grandmother never stopped being the small-town Southerner whose cooking repertoire leaned heavily on mayonnaise and pimento cheese.

From Seattle Times