tortilla

noun

tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-yə How to pronounce tortilla (audio)
: a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread usually eaten hot with a topping or filling (as of ground meat or cheese)

Examples of tortilla 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.
Its menu is built around trad Spanish tapas spanning jamón, manchego and padrón peppers through to croquetas, gambas al ajillo, tortilla and oversized pans of seafood paella or arroz negro. — Lela London, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 Spread about 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise evenly over each tortilla. — Sharon Lawson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Japanese sweet potatoes) that are carved and perched sculpturally on small, nicely weighty tortillas. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 Stores could meet the new requirements for grains, for example, by offering corn tortillas, whole wheat bread, white bread, brown rice, white rice, oats and infant cereal for sale. — Amelia B. Finaret, The Conversation, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tortilla

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from American Spanish (Mexico, Central America, parts of the Caribbean and South America), from Spanish, diminutive of torta "cake, pastry," going back to Late Latin tōrta "round loaf of bread" — more at tart entry 2

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tortilla was in 1648

Phrases Containing tortilla

Rhymes for tortilla

See All Rhymes for tortilla

Browse Nearby Words

tortile
tortilla
tortilla chip
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tortilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortilla. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

tortilla

noun
tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-(y)ə How to pronounce tortilla (audio)
: a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread
Etymology

American Spanish, literally "little cake," from Spanish torta "cake"

More from Merriam-Webster on tortilla

Nglish: Translation of tortilla for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tortilla

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