California roll

noun

: a type of sushi roll containing avocado, cucumber, and cooked crabmeat or imitation crabmeat with a wrapping of seaweed and rice
The California roll, a stout roll of avocado, imitation crab (actually compressed pollock) and cucumber, was perhaps the first sushi variant to be developed in North America.Matt Lee et al.
The most impressive sushi of the evening, however, was his version of the so-called California roll, which originated in Los Angeles.Caroline Bates

Examples of California roll 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.
Squares of eel are splayed over a torched, cut California roll with a mascarpone foam and the restaurant’s chile eel sauce. Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025 Wrap scoops of that with crisp sheets of nori, maybe even sneak a sliver of avocado or crab in there, and relish in your own makeshift California rolls. Eric Kim, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2025 Guacamole enthusiasts will enjoy this spicy California roll guacamole from cookbook author Alyse Whitney. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025 The limited-time offer features a diverse selection of Aburi Oshi's signature sushi bites, including salmon, tuna, spicy tuna, yellowtail, spicy salmon and California rolls. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 10 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for California roll

Word History

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California roll was in 1979

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“California roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20roll. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

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!