tamale

noun

ta·​ma·​le tə-ˈmä-lē How to pronounce tamale (audio)
: cornmeal dough rolled with ground meat or beans seasoned usually with chili, wrapped usually in corn husks, and steamed

Examples of tamale 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.
For a simple yet innovative dinner tonight, this chicken tamale pie has all the flavors of the delicious Latin delicacy with half the time to make it. Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 7 Aug. 2025 Since 1946, the business has been cranking tamales out for loyal customers who know well the pleasures of the toothsome and handmade red pork, spicy green pork, and even sweet varieties of the traditional dish (that last one has raisins, nuts, coconut and pineapple). The Denver Post, Denver Post, 1 Aug. 2025 Smoky mezcal cocktails swirl beside slow-roasted meats, heirloom corn tamales, and mole crafted with 25 ingredients. David Weiss, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 Try others like the tamale negro, a sweet take on the dish that contains raisins and mole, typically served during the Christmas season (like the Puerto Rican pastel). Maliah West, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tamale

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish tamales, plural of tamal tamale, from Nahuatl tamalli steamed cornmeal dough

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tamale was in 1854

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Cite this Entry

“Tamale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamale. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

tamale

noun
ta·​ma·​le tə-ˈmäl-ē How to pronounce tamale (audio)
: cornmeal dough rolled with ground meat or beans seasoned usually with chili, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed

Geographical Definition

Tamale

geographical name

Ta·​ma·​le tä-ˈmä-lā How to pronounce Tamale (audio)
town in northern Ghana population 371,351

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