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

In Los Angeles, don't miss the must-order refried lentils and tortilla at Broken Spanish Comedor. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

Expect regional cuisine from Jalisco and Oaxaca, with handmade tortillas, open-fire cooking, seafood, ceviches, aguachiles and traditional moles. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026

Customers ordering at the counter can look straight into the tortilla-making heart of the enterprise, where organic, non GMO corn is transformed into fresh masa and tortillas. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

The cheesy potato shells are probably around six to eight inches in diameter – similar to a regular flour tortilla size. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 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"