tapa

1 of 2

noun (1)

ta·​pa ˈtä-pə  ˈta- 

: a coarse cloth made in the Pacific islands from the pounded bark especially of the paper mulberry and usually decorated with geometric patterns

tapa

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an hors d'oeuvre served with drinks especially in Spanish bars

—usually used in plural

Examples of tapa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

One evening, explored some of the city's best tapas bars with a respected food journalist. — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026

Any day of the week, gather around a table at a tapas bar terrace, eat caracoles, let the hours go by, share the small moments that make up our lives. — Miguel MacIas, NPR, 13 May 2026

Everything from like Japanese tapas to oysters and beer to kombucha. — AFAR Media, 30 May 2026

The rustic interior has plenty of simple, rough-hewn wooden furniture, which allows beautiful plates of pintxos and tapas to shine brightly. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Marquesan & Tahitian

Noun (2)

Spanish, literally, cover, lid, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English tæppa tap

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1817, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1939, in the meaning defined above