torta

noun

tor·​ta ˈtȯr-tə How to pronounce torta (audio)
plural tortas
: a traditional Mexican sandwich typically consisting of meat, cheese, and assorted toppings (such as lettuce, avocado, and refried beans) in a soft split roll
Turkey tortas—sandwiches stacked with oven-baked or slow-fried turkey—are immensely popular in the Downtown Historic Centre, and elsewhere around Mexico City.Lesley Téllez
Heat a … grill to medium high. Place half of each roll (what will become the bottom half of each torta) cut side down.Bill Esparza
Once the carne asada is done, stuff it into tacos, burritos or tortas or serve with salad or rice and beans.Genevieve Ko
… the best thing on the menu might be this gut-busting carnitas torta, a sandwich best split with a friend or ordered when you've got an especially large appetite.Luke Tsai

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Ortiz deep-frying maitake mushrooms for a vegetarian version of the same torta. Hannah Goldfield, The New Yorker, 13 May 2022 After the process is complete, the tender the meat is removed, chopped and ready to serve on a plate with fresh tortillas, as a taco with cilantro, diced onions and lime wedges, or even as a torta. AZCentral.com, 20 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torta.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Mexican Spanish, from Spanish, "cake, pastry," going back to Late Latin tōrta "round loaf" — more at tart entry 2

First Known Use

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of torta was in 1952

Dictionary Entries Near torta

Cite this Entry

“Torta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torta. Accessed 6 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!