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

In between rallies on the customized pickleball court, enjoy cocktails like aptly named Pretty Big Dill tequila drink with pickle brine and habanero. —Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

The company is also preparing strategic retail expansions and celebrity collaborations to further cement its presence as the go-to luxury tequila for high-end consumers. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025

Some bartenders specialize in tequila concoctions while others like to riff with Amaro, the herbal bittersweet liqueur. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 31 July 2025

Among the rising favorites is tequila, especially as it's celebrated Thursday on National Tequila Day. —Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025

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