cocktail sauce

noun

: a somewhat spicy sauce that consists typically of ketchup or tomato-based chili sauce mixed with horseradish and often lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot-pepper sauce and that is served especially as a condiment for cold seafood (such as shrimp or oysters)

Examples of cocktail sauce in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Make things even easier on yourself by serving the seafood with a bottled cocktail sauce. — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 May 2026 When prepared with skill, shrimp can be tender and sweet, perfect for dipping in tangy, piquant cocktail sauce. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 22 June 2026 Crispy battered Double Crunch Shrimp, served with cocktail sauce, coleslaw and fries. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 11 May 2026 There is also a mariscos and salsa bar, including shrimp, crab legs and oysters with cocktail sauce, and chips with five different salsa options. — Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for cocktail sauce

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cocktail sauce was in 1902

Rhymes for cocktail sauce

See All Rhymes for cocktail sauce

Browse Nearby Words

cocktail ring
cocktail sauce
cocktail table
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cocktail sauce.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cocktail%20sauce. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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