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

The property spans 1,000 hectares with heated pools, tennis courts, a world-class spa, and a beach club serving tapas beside the sea from May through September. —Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

Little Bites: This Thai and sushi tapas restaurant from the Bite-A-Bit Sushi owners opened at 908 Main Street in February in the former Edley's Bar-B-Que spot. —Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025

Trinchera is putting a fresh twist on traditional tapas served around a stainless steel bar and the cozy bookshop meets bar Ubik Cafè Cafeteria Libreria is ideal for an afternoon vermouth. —Elizabeth Bennett, Vogue, 20 June 2025

There is something for everyone in the capital city to socialize into the wee hours, with locales that vary from quaint tapas bars like La Gildería and Varro to trendy wine bars such as Vinoteca Vides or Bendito to lively discotecas like Teatro Barceló or Macera Club. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 17 June 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