tapa

1 of 2

noun (1)

ta·​pa ˈtä-pə How to pronounce tapa (audio) ˈta- How to pronounce tapa (audio)
: a coarse cloth made in the Pacific islands from the pounded bark especially of the paper mulberry and usually decorated with geometric patterns

tapa

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an hors d'oeuvre served with drinks especially in Spanish bars
—usually plural

Examples of tapa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The restaurant offered a varied list of wines by the glass, plus burgers, salads, tacos and signature tapas. — Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 Meanwhile, Leonora, the on-site restaurant, does eclectic tapas and entrees. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Nearby Priego de Córdoba has some lovely tapas spots and fruit and vegetable stands with incredible fresh produce. — Alicia Sanchez, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026 Its menu is built around trad Spanish tapas spanning jamón, manchego and padrón peppers through to croquetas, gambas al ajillo, tortilla and oversized pans of seafood paella or arroz negro. — Lela London, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tapa

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Marquesan & Tahitian

Noun (2)

Spanish, literally, cover, lid, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English tæppa tap

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1817, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tapa was in 1817

Browse Nearby Words

tap
tapa
Tapachula
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tapa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapa. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tapa

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tapa

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