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

Madrid, however, bursts with artistic brilliance and kinetic energy—Velázquez and Goya commanding the Prado, while tapas bars buzz with clinking glasses late into the night. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

There’s also a sit-down tapas bar, Premiere House, decorated with movie props and decor representing more recent horror films from Blumhouse. —Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 5 Aug. 2025

The Premiere House tapas bar will offer a menu of shareable appetizers and signature cocktails. —Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 5 Aug. 2025

The most recent break-in happened on April 25, when Milton pried open the front door of Abigail Street, a tapas restaurant on Vine Street in Over-the-Rhine, and stole bottles of alcohol before leaving through the same door, police wrote in court filings. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 3 Aug. 2025

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