feta

noun

fe·​ta ˈfe-tə How to pronounce feta (audio)
ˈfe-ˌtä
variants often Feta
: a white moderately hard and crumbly Greek cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk and cured in brine

Examples of feta 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.
Top watermelon slices with crumbled feta and sliced basil for a refreshing snack. — Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 31 Aug. 2026 Sultan’s Kebab uses halal products to grill Turkish-style kebabs over charcoal, which are served with fresh bread or rice or even garlic-feta fries. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026 Return to the oven and continue to bake until the orzo is cooked through and the feta has softened, about 5 more minutes. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 Try one of the Greek wines by the glass, then several dishes — spreads like tzatziki and taramasalata, zucchini and feta fritters, and braised short rib with lemon potato puree (plus, from-scratch desserts like the seasonal cheesecake). — Nicole Schnitzler, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for feta

Word History

Etymology

Modern Greek (tyri) pheta, from tyri cheese + pheta slice, from Italian fetta — more at fettuccine

First Known Use

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of feta was in 1915

Browse Nearby Words

FET
feta
fetal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Feta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feta. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

feta

noun
fe·​ta ˈfet-ə How to pronounce feta (audio)
ˈfe-ˌtä
: a white Greek cheese made from sheep's or goat's milk and cured in salt water
Etymology

from modern Greek pheta "slice (of cheese)"

More from Merriam-Webster on feta

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about feta

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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