masa

noun

ma·​sa ˈmä-sə How to pronounce masa (audio)
: a dough used in Mexican cuisine (as for tortillas and tamales) that is made from ground corn soaked in a lime and water solution
also : masa harina

Examples of masa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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By 2023, only about 1 in 7 corn masa flour products and no corn tortillas contained folic acid, a review found. CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026 In 2016, federal regulators allowed, but did not require, folic acid to be added to corn masa products. ABC News, 29 Mar. 2026 The Hoja Blanca crew has experimented with their own gorgeous versions, making rainbow patterns with different shades of masa. Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026 Bread flour, whole wheat flour, all‑purpose white flour, masa, purple cornmeal, medium‑ground yellow cornmeal, plain fine cornmeal, semolina flour, barley flour, and sorghum flour. Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for masa

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, mash, dough

First Known Use

circa 1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of masa was circa 1896

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Masa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/masa. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

masa

noun
ma·​sa ˈmä-sə How to pronounce masa (audio)
: a dough used in Mexican cuisine (as for tortillas and tamales) that is made from ground corn soaked in a lime and water solution
also : masa harina

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