concha

1 of 2

noun (1)

con·​cha ˈkäŋ-kə How to pronounce concha (audio)
plural conchae ˈkäŋ-ˌkē How to pronounce concha (audio)
-ˌkī
1
a
: the plain semidome of an apse
b
: apse
2
: something shaped like a shell
especially : the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
conchal adjective

concha

2 of 2

noun (2)

con·​cha ˈkän-chə How to pronounce concha (audio)
variants or less commonly concho
: an ornamental disk (as on clothing or tack) of American Indian origin featuring a shell or flower design

Examples of concha 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.
Noun
Stop by: 4405 Central Ave. Must-try item: A concha. Laura Barrero, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024 Another specialty at Forma are conchas, or Mexican sweet bread with a crunchy and sugary topping. John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 10 June 2024 They’re helmed by people who value experimentation and self-expression over strict ideas about what does and doesn’t belong in a scone, a concha, or any number of classic pastries. The Bon Appétit Staff & Contributors, Bon Appétit, 13 Mar. 2024 The real question is con grano o sin grano? Sweet and savory at La Mascota Bakery: La Mascota Bakery on Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights has been making sweet conchas and other pan dulce since 1952. Chelsea Hylton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2023 In the last decade, the brothers have sold pink conchas seasonally to support the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation. Andrea Flores, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2023 Guests can enjoy meals on the rooftop, with pastries like vanilla conchas for breakfast and small plates including tostadas and aguachile from midday on. Zoey Poll Adriane Quinlan Michaela Trimble Becky Malinsky Katherine McGrath Monica Mendal, New York Times, 1 June 2023 Drinks will have a tropical twist, such as a lemongrass-melon agua fresca and a Dark and Stormy with a sour punch from Filipino citrus calamansi, while other dishes will be cultural mash-ups, like a concha with vegan ube ice cream. Ferron Salniker, San Francisco Chronicle, 24 Mar. 2021 In addition to classic bakeries, the Alamo City has plenty of panaderías — Mexican bakeries — where people can enjoy a nice concha and sip on a hot cup of joe. Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Mar. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Italian & Latin; Italian conca semidome, apse, from Late Latin concha, from Latin, shell

Noun (2)

American Spanish concha, from Spanish, shell, from Late Latin conchula, diminutive of Latin concha

First Known Use

Noun (1)

circa 1639, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of concha was circa 1639

Dictionary Entries Near concha

Cite this Entry

“Concha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/concha. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

concha

noun
con·​cha
ˈkäŋ-kə also ˈkȯŋ-
plural conchae -ˌkē, -ˌkī How to pronounce concha (audio)
1
: the largest and deepest concavity of the external ear
2
conchal adjective

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