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

Dinner at Las Mañanitas—where sopa de tortilla and oxtail stew are among the many traditional dishes—is an experience not to be forgotten. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

Flaky Chihuahua-style flour tortillas serve as the base for a handful of of burritos and breakfast tacos rooted in chef Gabriel Pulido’s childhood memories. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Pita pockets or tortilla pinwheels filled with deli meats and cheese, or with hummus and veggies. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026

Fill tortillas with deli meats, cheese, hummus and veggies for pinwheels. — Lauren Schuster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Oct. 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"