tequila

noun

te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə How to pronounce tequila (audio)
tā-
plural tequilas
: a Mexican liquor made chiefly from the fermented sap of the blue agave that has been subjected to two separate distillations
Tequila is a form of mezcal that enjoys a regional appellation—it must be produced in Tequila, Jalisco (a state in Mexico), entirely from the nectar from the blue agave plant.Justin Grant
The most important difference between fine tequila and ordinary tequila is that the good stuff is made from 100 percent blue agave—the desert succulent that is pressure cooked, then fermented.Food & Wine

Note: Tequila is often distinguished from other mezcals because it can only be made from the blue agave and has more restrictive guidelines regarding its production.

"We're going to offer wine, beer, cocktails, a lot of tequila and mezcal, and margaritas on tap," said [bar] owner Patrick Todd.Jordyn Noennig

Examples of tequila 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.
According to DoorDash data from January 1 - April 14, 2025, as compared to the same timeframe in 2024, orders for reposado tequila are up 95%, gold tequila up 65% and añejo tequila up 60%. Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025 The list features hundreds of agricultural and industrial items, along with bourbon, tequila and other spirits — a sore point between the trading partners, with U.S. President Donald Trump in March threatening to put a 200% tariff on EU alcohol imports. Jenni Reid, CNBC, 8 May 2025 Situated in the northern Baja California Peninsula just under two hours from San Diego, Valle de Guadalupe is Mexico’s premier viticultural region, producing more than 70 percent of the wine in a country still mostly associated with beer and tequila. Anya Von Bremzen, AFAR Media, 8 May 2025 The venue also houses the intimate Casa Dragones Tasting Room, where visitors can savor premium tequilas in a setting adorned with obsidian tiles. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tequila

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Tequila, town in Jalisco state, Mexico

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tequila was in 1849

Cite this Entry

“Tequila.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tequila. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

tequila

noun
te·​qui·​la tə-ˈkē-lə How to pronounce tequila (audio)
tā-
: a Mexican liquor made from the fermented juice of an agave

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