tortilla

noun

tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-yə 

: a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread usually eaten hot with a topping or filling (as of ground meat or cheese)

Examples of tortilla in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the produce and prepared food opportunities are abundant, Yelpers recommend the citron crepe from the Europa Crepe stand and the handmade tortillas from Zaida’s Kitchen. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

From the octopus chicharron with habanero aioli in an oregano tortilla to the wagyu beef with pork rinds and sweet onions in a cilantro tortilla, each was executed with absolute precision and creativity. — Flora Stubbs, Travel + Leisure, 7 July 2026

In the Italian Market, Blue Corn is a casual Mexican restaurant that serves tortillas, huaraches, tacos and more made with blue corn grown in the owners’ native Puebla. — Regan Stephens, New York Times, 2 July 2026

Italian turkey sausage, cheese, and pizza sauce are all wrapped up in a crispy tortilla. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 2 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from American Spanish (Mexico, Central America, parts of the Caribbean and South America), from Spanish, diminutive of torta "cake, pastry," going back to Late Latin tōrta "round loaf of bread" — more at tart entry 2

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tortilla

• tortilla chip

Rhymes for tortilla

• aliya
• aliyah
• althea
• apnoea
• dyspnea
• dyspnoea
• hosea
• idea
• kshatriya
• kyrie
• lutea
• maria

Kids Definition

tortilla

noun

tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-(y)ə 

: a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread

Etymology

American Spanish, literally "little cake," from Spanish torta "cake"