masa

noun

ma·​sa ˈmä-sə 

: a dough used in Mexican cuisine (as for tortillas and tamales) that is made from ground corn soaked in a lime and water solution

also : masa harina

Examples of masa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maize will debut this spring with an 18-course tasting menu focused on masa in a space that welcomes eight guests at a time. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Jan. 2026

Jaffery said that the Latino population relies heavily on corn masa products in their daily diet rather than flour and other grain products that are enriched with folic acid. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado january 12, Sacbee.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Changes are coming to tortillas in California in the new year, with a new law requiring manufacturers to add folic acid to corn masa products. —Tori Apodaca, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2025

Now, with the implementation of Assembly Bill 1830, California is the first state to require folic acid in corn masa products. —Calmatters, Mercury News, 26 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, mash, dough

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing masa

• masa harina

Rhymes for masa

• casa
• fossa
• ossa
• manasseh

Kids Definition

masa

noun

ma·​sa ˈmä-sə 

: a dough used in Mexican cuisine (as for tortillas and tamales) that is made from ground corn soaked in a lime and water solution

also : masa harina