empanada

noun

em·​pa·​na·​da ˌem-pə-ˈnä-də How to pronounce empanada (audio)
: a turnover with a sweet or savory filling

Examples of empanada 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.
The dough is thinner, and crisper than an Argentine empanada, with an amber, wonton-like crust riddled with bubbles. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026 In a carousel of photos posted on Vergara’s Instagram account in October, the Modern Family alum and her son enjoyed some empanadas. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 20 July 2026 During our visit, my partner and I had a great day walking to La Sagrada Familia and then just exploring the neighborhood, stopping by cute coffee shops and an A+ empanada stand for a snack on the way. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026 The park's other standout dining location is also in this area, as the Jurassic World Canteen boasts an eclectic menu with chicken and beef skewers and a Nathan's hot dog wrapped in an empanada crust. — Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for empanada

Word History

Etymology

American Spanish, from Spanish, feminine of empanado, past participle of empanar to bread, from em- (from Latin in-) + pan bread, from Latin panis — more at food

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of empanada was in 1866

Rhymes for empanada

See All Rhymes for empanada

Browse Nearby Words

empale
empanada
empanel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Empanada.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empanada. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on empanada

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about empanada

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of colloquial

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All