tofu

noun

to·fu ˈtō-(ˌ)fü

: a soft food product prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants (such as magnesium chloride or diluted acids) : bean curd

… tofu is our most versatile form of nonanimal concentrated protein, as well as the least processed and the most traditional.—Mark Bittman

The tofu … was sliced uniformly and stacked neatly in the bowl of clear, seafood-flavored broth.—Karen Hayes

Vegetarian cooking has never been so simple. Supermarkets carry packaged convenience foods like tofu hot dogs …—Norine Dworkin

Examples of tofu 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.

There is, of course, a chapter on tofu that shows readers how to treat it like both a hearty stew and an invigorating salad, among endless other treatments including an additional chapter on tofu skin. — Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 29 July 2026 The soy sauce seasons the tofu to its core, while balsamic vinaigrette adds acidity, richness, and just enough sweetness. — Ali Francis, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 July 2026 When ready to grill, remove the tofu from the marinade and thread on the bamboo skewers. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 American manhood is a fragile and precarious thing, shattered by the slightest deviation from ever-shifting norms—eating the wrong taco, tasting tofu, not eating meat, or maybe eating too much meat. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tofu

Word History

Etymology

Japanese tōfu

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tofu was in 1771

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Browse Nearby Words

Toft ware

tofu

tog

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Tofu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tofu. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tofu

noun

to·fu ˈtō-fü

: a soft food product prepared by coagulating soybean milk

called also bean curd

tofu

noun

Examples of tofu in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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