masa

noun

ma·​sa ˈmä-sə How to pronounce masa (audio)
: 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
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.
The Hoja Blanca crew has experimented with their own gorgeous versions, making rainbow patterns with different shades of masa. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026 Bread flour, whole wheat flour, all‑purpose white flour, masa, purple cornmeal, medium‑ground yellow cornmeal, plain fine cornmeal, semolina flour, barley flour, and sorghum flour. Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 One classroom is still being used as a grocery delivery operation, overflowing with cereal, beans, masa, cleaning supplies, diapers and backpacks packed with books and stuffies. Meg Anderson, NPR, 22 Mar. 2026 It’s best seen in the blue corn sourdough, a custardy loaf that gets a toasty, corn tortilla-like flavor from blue masa. Mario Cortez, San Francisco Chronicle, 19 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masa

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, mash, dough

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masa was circa 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masa. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

masa

noun
ma·​sa ˈmä-sə How to pronounce masa (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on masa

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster