tapa

1 of 2

noun (1)

ta·​pa ˈtä-pə How to pronounce tapa (audio) ˈta- How to pronounce tapa (audio)
: a coarse cloth made in the Pacific islands from the pounded bark especially of the paper mulberry and usually decorated with geometric patterns

tapa

2 of 2

noun (2)

: an hors d'oeuvre served with drinks especially in Spanish bars
usually used in plural

Examples of tapa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
From tapas bars to energetic discos, the Spanish capital offers something for everyone. Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024 Picturesque cafés, tapas bars, shops, and charming squares made exploring this area on foot very rewarding. Devorah Lev-Tov, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2024 The Spanish tapas bar opened nearly a year ago on Regent Street. Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 13 Aug. 2024 At Olive, the market-style environment is the background for half a dozen international cuisines—from Ayurvedic tapas and pan-Asian dishes to Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Maldivian delights. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tapa 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Marquesan & Tahitian

Noun (2)

Spanish, literally, cover, lid, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English tæppa tap

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1817, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1939, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tapa was in 1817

Dictionary Entries Near tapa

Cite this Entry

“Tapa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tapa. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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