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.
The brand’s authentic tamales were filled with pork, chicken or cheese with jalapeno. Michael Deeds january 1, Idaho Statesman, 1 Jan. 2026 Taco seasonings, shredded chicken, cheese, and a corn muffin mix give this cozy casserole a tamale-like flavor, but without all the rolling and steaming. Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026 Their $5 tamales were selling well amid the chill. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Jan. 2026 Juan did this many mornings, and Lisbeth obliged, handing over her last tamale, tightly wrapped in aluminum foil. Jordan Salama, New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Tamale.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tamale. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tamale

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!