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

Pair your meal with the extensive tequila menu, and finish it off with a traditional flan made with vanilla bean, orange liqueur, and a strawberry glaze. —Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026

Haber is co-owner of Ocean Cask Spirits, a liquor company that produces rums and tequilas. —Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2026

In practice, that means a Latin steakhouse (Leña), a Mexican and Peruvian spot (Corteza), an homage to Buenos Aires (Volante), and an Agave Library for a tequila or mezcal to finish off the night. —Tim Chester, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 2026

Guy Fieri, the affable host of multiple Food Network TV shows, will make a stop in Carlsbad on Friday to promote Santo Spirits, the tequila brand he co-owns with rock singer Sammy Hagar. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Mar. 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