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

The tortilla had no flavor; the tostada which supposedly offers textural counterpoint — the whole idea, according to its advocates, like Times newsletter jefe Karim Doumar — was soggy. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

Other creations, such as the tuna tostada with charred avocado, peanut, and nori, connect to Mexico’s melting pot of cultures, in this instance the Japanese influence on Baja California’s cuisine. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 June 2025

Chef Beauchamp’s signature dishes include tuna tostadas, Wagyu short ribs, and Isan crispy rice salad with pork. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2025

Here’s a recipe for Found Oyster’s scallop tostadas with yuzu-apple vinaigrette. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025

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

Rhymes for tostada

• armada
• entrada
• espada
• hamada
• jornada
• kannada
• posada
• quebrada
• ramada
• sagrada
• arthropoda
• intifada

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"