tortilla

noun

tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-yə How to pronounce tortilla (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
From the tortillas to the marinades, everything is made in-house with the freshest chilies, onions, and cilantro. Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2025 There were unclean utensils in the bus tub and a tortilla press next to the prep area. Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Oct. 2025 The school had a longstanding tradition of throwing tortillas on the field, but officials voted 15-1 to ban the act before the season. Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2025 Alongside other growers who will set up stalls on the perimeter of the space, Galvan Foods, the local tortilla and taco company that’s a mainstay of the outdoor market, is set to head inside to take over the large central counter-service kitchen. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tortilla

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tortilla was in 1648

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Cite this Entry

“Tortilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tortilla. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

tortilla

noun
tor·​ti·​lla tȯr-ˈtē-(y)ə How to pronounce tortilla (audio)
: a thin round of unleavened cornmeal or wheat flour bread
Etymology

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tortilla

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