tamale

noun

ta·​ma·​le tə-ˈmä-lē 

: 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

The biggest, brightest holiday events of 2024 Best tamales in Phoenix? —Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 24 Dec. 2024

Read more about tamales’ history and cultural staying power from holidays past: From Mesoamerica to modern day, tamales have persisted as a dish for all seasons. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024

What's next: The inevitable debate — does ketchup belong on tamales? —Madalyn Mendoza, Axios, 18 Dec. 2024

Each tamales plate comes with three gluten free tamales with two flavor options: red pork-less and green chicken-less for $14. —Ana Gutierrez, Austin American-Statesman, 17 Dec. 2024

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

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Kids Definition

tamale

noun

ta·​ma·​le tə-ˈmäl-ē 

: 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 

town in northern Ghana population 371,351