tempura

noun

tem·​pu·​ra ˈtem-pə-rə How to pronounce tempura (audio)
-ˌrä;
tem-ˈpu̇r-ə How to pronounce tempura (audio)
: seafood or vegetables dipped in batter and fried in deep fat

Examples of tempura 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.
Radishes and lotus root, miso soup, tempura shrimp, and Omadofu, or creamy tofu, made appearances, as did soba noodles, small pieces of mackerel, and, on occasion, wagyu beef for grilling on a hibachi. — Everett Potter, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 McDonald’s Spicy Chicken McNuggets are breaded in a spicy tempura coating that contains a blend of aged cayenne and chili peppers, giving the nuggets the perfect spicy kick. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Breaded in a spicy tempura coating made with a blend of cayenne and chili peppers, the hot nuggets had their first run in September 2020. — Mike Snider, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Yoon has made tarantula tempura and caramel popcorn with grasshoppers in his work as a guest chef and advocate. — Gawon Bae, CNN Money, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for tempura

Word History

Etymology

Japanese tenpura

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of tempura was in 1920

Rhymes for tempura

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Browse Nearby Words

temptress
tempura
tempus
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Cite this Entry

“Tempura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tempura. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tempura

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tempura

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