tortilla

noun

tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-yə 

: 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

Croquettes with jamón Serrano, Spanish tortilla, and shrimp and garlic, all at extremely reasonable prices. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Sep. 2026

Afterward, his grandmother and a neighbor would pull out flour, water, and lard and begin making tortillas, the kitchen filling with the familiar rhythm of the rolling pins. — Harry Bruinius, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2026

Serve the meat on tortillas or tostadas, topped with cilantro. — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 7 Sep. 2026

Try collard greens as a low-calorie alternative to sandwich wraps or tortillas by blanching them until slightly tender but still sturdy. — Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2026

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

Phrases Containing tortilla

• tortilla chip

Rhymes for tortilla

• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• kyrie
• lutea
• maria

Kids Definition

tortilla

noun

tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-(y)ə 

: a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread

Etymology

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