tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə 

tā-

plural tequilas

: a Mexican liquor made chiefly from the fermented sap of the blue agave that has been subjected to two separate distillations

Tequila is a form of mezcal that enjoys a regional appellation—it must be produced in Tequila, Jalisco (a state in Mexico), entirely from the nectar from the blue agave plant.

—Justin Grant

The most important difference between fine tequila and ordinary tequila is that the good stuff is made from 100 percent blue agave—the desert succulent that is pressure cooked, then fermented.

—Food & Wine

Note: Tequila is often distinguished from other mezcals because it can only be made from the blue agave and has more restrictive guidelines regarding its production.

"We're going to offer wine, beer, cocktails, a lot of tequila and mezcal, and margaritas on tap," said [bar] owner Patrick Todd.

—Jordyn Noennig

Examples of tequila in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The menu boasts several top-shelf tequilas as well as Tex-Mex food favorites. —Kristen Tribe, Southern Living, 10 Oct. 2025

No one wants to be the person reminding everyone to reapply sunscreen or drink water between tequila shots. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 9 Oct. 2025

There is nothing better than getting home at the end of the night, after a busy day, drinking a couple of tequilas and just having a laugh. —Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025

The tequila had been transported from Mexico to Texas, then loaded into two trucks bound for the warehouse. —Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Tequila, town in Jalisco state, Mexico

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tequila

• tequila sunrise

Rhymes for tequila

• drosophila
• philomela
• sheila

Kids Definition

tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə 

tā-

: a Mexican liquor made from the fermented juice of an agave