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

Well, Brennan walked into the bar, ordered 300 tequila shots for Arizona fans, paid the $2,000 tab and left, all within five minutes. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

In July, Brown pleaded guilty to a count of affray at London’s Southwark Crown Court for attacking a music producer with a tequila bottle on the head. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 26 Oct. 2026

Brown was originally charged with assault, suspicion of grievous bodily harm, and possession of an offensive weapon (a tequila bottle). — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2026

Brown also faced a charge of having an offensive weapon — a tequila bottle, according to reports — though that was dropped, too. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 26 Oct. 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