tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə 

tā-

plural tequilas

: a Mexican liquor made chiefly from the fermented sap of the blue agave that has been subjected to two separate distillations

Tequila is a form of mezcal that enjoys a regional appellation—it must be produced in Tequila, Jalisco (a state in Mexico), entirely from the nectar from the blue agave plant.

—Justin Grant

The most important difference between fine tequila and ordinary tequila is that the good stuff is made from 100 percent blue agave—the desert succulent that is pressure cooked, then fermented.

—Food & Wine

Note: Tequila is often distinguished from other mezcals because it can only be made from the blue agave and has more restrictive guidelines regarding its production.

"We're going to offer wine, beer, cocktails, a lot of tequila and mezcal, and margaritas on tap," said [bar] owner Patrick Todd.

—Jordyn Noennig

Examples of tequila in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cult’s deity, a skeleton shrouded in a hooded robe, resembles a morbid inversion of the Virgin Mary, often blessed with tequila and marijuana smoke. —Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2026

Camila Alves McConaughey and Matthew McConaughey share a toast at the MJ&M fundraiser supporting children's education, health, and wellness, sponsored by their tequila brand, Pantalones Organic Tequila in Austin, Texas, on April 23. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026

The beatboxer was canceled, but the DJ was not, nor was the tequila cart that shuttled up and down the long room. —Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 26 Apr. 2026

Although mezcal has been embraced by the drinking public much more since the Cobra Clutch was invented more than a decade ago, this cocktail isn’t improved by getting rid of the tequila in favor of its smokier cousin. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Tequila, town in Jalisco state, Mexico

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tequila

• tequila sunrise

Rhymes for tequila

• drosophila
• philomela
• sheila

Kids Definition

tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə 

tā-

: a Mexican liquor made from the fermented juice of an agave