tostada

noun

tos·​ta·​da tō-ˈstä-də 

variants or less commonly tostado

tō-ˈstä-(ˌ)dō 

plural tostadas also tostados

: a tortilla deep-fried in hot oil

also : a tostada that is topped with a mixture of ingredients (such as seasoned meat, cheese, and lettuce)

Examples of tostada in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The resulting tostadas are thick and rugged, with a flavor and texture similar to popcorn. —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

Carolina-style whole hog barbecue is placed atop a tostada, topped with miso mustard aioli and pickled jalapeno. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 2026

Ensenada also excels at maritime cuisine, with restaurants like La Concheria and in the Plaza Santo Tomás, coastal Humo y Sal, and the out-of-this-world seafood tostadas of Sabina Restaurante por La Guerrerense among the standouts. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

The tostada on the side is the only giveaway that this is not, in fact, from a Peruvian place. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish tostada, from Spanish, feminine of tostado, past participle of tostar to toast, roast, from Late Latin tostare — more at toast entry 2

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tostada

• armada
• entrada
• espada
• hamada
• jornada
• kannada
• posada
• quebrada
• ramada
• sagrada
• arthropoda
• intifada

Kids Definition

tostada

noun

tos·​ta·​da tō-ˈstäd-ə 

: a fried tortilla

Etymology

Mexican Spanish tostada, a feminine form of tostado "fried," from Spanish tostado "toasted"