tofu

noun

to·fu ˈtō-(ˌ)fü

: a soft food product prepared by treating soybean milk with coagulants (such as magnesium chloride or diluted acids) : bean curd

… tofu is our most versatile form of nonanimal concentrated protein, as well as the least processed and the most traditional.—Mark Bittman

The tofu … was sliced uniformly and stacked neatly in the bowl of clear, seafood-flavored broth.—Karen Hayes

Vegetarian cooking has never been so simple. Supermarkets carry packaged convenience foods like tofu hot dogs …—Norine Dworkin

Examples of tofu 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 Protein seems to be on everyone’s minds (and plates) these days, with many of us getting our fill from fish, beef, chicken, or plant proteins like beans, avocados, tofu, and tempeh. — Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 Impossibly juicy to its core, the chicken is served with a clever tofu-mustard sauce that’s tangy, savory, and smooth (not unlike ranch but also definitely not ranch) and a winning, aromatic jiao chili sauce that burns with a sweet heat. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026 Things to do 🧑‍🍳Famous chef Roy Choi traverses Los Angeles for lobster noodles and spicy tofu. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for tofu

Word History

Etymology

Japanese tōfu

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tofu was in 1771

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Browse Nearby Words

Toft ware

tofu

tog

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Kids Definition

tofu

noun

to·fu ˈtō-fü

: a soft food product prepared by coagulating soybean milk

called also bean curd

tofu

noun

Examples of tofu in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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