tamale

noun

ta·​ma·​le tə-ˈmä-lē How to pronounce tamale (audio)
: cornmeal dough rolled with ground meat or beans seasoned usually with chili, wrapped usually in corn husks, and steamed

Examples of tamale 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.
Like when Gerald Ford ate a tamale, husk and all, which some claim cost him the election. Meghan McCarron, Bon Appétit, 29 Oct. 2024 In the past five years, the nonprofit found, California school districts have added 41 new vegan dishes to their menus, including chana masala bowls, vegan tamales, and falafel wraps. Frida Garza, WIRED, 19 Oct. 2024 Layer with chicken tamale mix, cilantro, sour cream, and cheese. Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2024 The ride is smooth, and carriages are clean and comfortable, with a cafe car stocked with warm tamales spiced with delicate herbs. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tamale 

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish tamales, plural of tamal tamale, from Nahuatl tamalli steamed cornmeal dough

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tamale was in 1854

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near tamale

Cite this Entry

“Tamale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamale. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

tamale

noun
ta·​ma·​le tə-ˈmäl-ē How to pronounce tamale (audio)
: cornmeal dough rolled with ground meat or beans seasoned usually with chili, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed

Geographical Definition

Tamale

geographical name

Ta·​ma·​le tä-ˈmä-lā How to pronounce Tamale (audio)
town in northern Ghana population 371,351

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