Definition of tamale
: cornmeal dough rolled with ground meat or beans seasoned usually with chili, wrapped usually in corn husks, and steamed
What's Trending Now
More Trending Words
tamale was our Word of the Day on 12/07/2012. Hear the podcast!
Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
Recent Examples of tamale from the Web
-
On next week’s Mexican-themed show, Rick Bayless (Frontera Grill, etc.) threatens to run away with the chocolate tamale batter prepared by former colleague Alfonso Sotelo (5 Rabitinos).
-
Or, order tacos, tamales, tostadas and tortas to eat there or to go.
-
Those fries share menu space at Mission Kitchen with $7 enchiladas and tamales, $1.25 tacos, $5 burritos, $2 agua frescas (including horchata made from real rice), and more.
-
In the past, Globe Life Park has served up two-foot-long tamales and giant hot dogs, Eater reports.
-
But the church members have carried on, driving supplies from Alaska to Mexico, selling tamales to raise money and taking turns sleeping inside the church at night to guard it from break-ins.
-
Or, order tacos, tamales, tostadas and tortas to eat there or to go.
-
Now open ▪ Archibowls, tamale pies and chili (gluten-free and vegan), 125 E 10th St., Lawrence.
-
Or, order tacos, tamales, tostadas and tortas to eat there or to go.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tamale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
tamale Has Origins in South America
Hot tamale is sometimes used figuratively, as in our second example, to suggest sexual attractiveness, but it's the word's literal use that puts it in an interesting category. How many English food words can you name that derive from Nahuatl, a group of languages spoken by native peoples of Mexico and Central America? You've probably guessed that "tamale" gives you one; it came to us (by way of Mexican Spanish) from the Nahuatl "tamalli," a word for steamed cornmeal dough. Add to the menu "chili" (from "chīlli," identifying all those fiery peppers); "chocolate" (from "chocolātl," first used for a beverage made from chocolate and water); "guacamole" (from āhuacatl, meaning "avocado," plus mōlli, meaning "sauce"); and "tomato" (from "tomatl"). Top it all off with "chipotle" (a smoked and dried pepper), from "chīlli" and "pōctli" (meaning "something smoked").
Origin and Etymology of tamale
Mexican Spanish tamales, plural of tamal tamale, from Nahuatl tamalli steamed cornmeal dough
TAMALE Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of tamale for English Language Learners
-
: a Mexican food that consists of seasoned ground meat or beans rolled in cornmeal, wrapped in a corn husk, and steamed
TAMALE Defined for Kids
Definition of tamale for Students
: seasoned ground meat rolled in cornmeal, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed
Learn More about tamale
-
See words that rhyme with tamale Spanish Central: Translation of tamale Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tamale
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up tamale? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
