noun

barbecue

A tangy, smoky sauce for grilled or smoked food.

She brushes barbecue sauce over the hot grilled chicken.

Etymology

Spanish barbacoa named a framework used in preparing food. Barbecue became associated with cooking on such a structure, and the sauce takes its name from the foods it accompanies.

More examples

  • He dipped the fries into smoky barbecue sauce.
  • The bottle of barbecue sauce stood beside the mustard.
  • They prefer a less sweet barbecue sauce on ribs.

Similar words

ketchup
Usually emphasizes tomato sweetness rather than smoky seasoning.
marinade
Usually seasons food before cooking rather than serving as a topping.