tostada

noun

tos·​ta·​da tō-ˈstä-də 

variants or less commonly tostado

tō-ˈstä-(ˌ)dō 

plural tostadas also tostados

: a tortilla deep-fried in hot oil

also : a tostada that is topped with a mixture of ingredients (such as seasoned meat, cheese, and lettuce)

Examples of tostada in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Uni, perhaps unsurprisingly, often plays a starring role, in, say, a tostada with kanpachi, walnuts and Pecorino Romano. —Scott Hocker, theweek, 13 Aug. 2024

Open only after dark, the taco stand doles out suckling pig tacos and tostadas until the early morning. —Catherine Tansey, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Feb. 2023

The leftover beans can be used to make tostadas the next day. —Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2024

For lighter options during this summer heat, the passion fruit ceviche ($17) offers seasonal white fish tossed in a tangy, sweet passion fruit juice served with wafer-thin tostadas. —Irene Milanez, Sacramento Bee, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Mexican Spanish tostada, from Spanish, feminine of tostado, past participle of tostar to toast, roast, from Late Latin tostare — more at toast entry 2

First Known Use

1925, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tostada

noun

tos·​ta·​da tō-ˈstäd-ə 

: a fried tortilla

Etymology

Mexican Spanish tostada, a feminine form of tostado "fried," from Spanish tostado "toasted"