matcha

noun

ˈmä-chə

ˈma-

plural matchas

: a green powder made from ground green tea leaves that is used to make tea and other beverages and as a flavoring agent

Our meal began with matcha, the traditional green tea of the tea ceremony. The powder is spooned into a ceramic bowl, hot water added and the mixture whisked to a frothy jade.—Alan Brown

Walk into a coffee shop or peruse Instagram and you're sure to have seen a matcha latte.—Alysha Witwicki

also : tea made from matcha

At the time, he often experienced midafternoon malaise and began drinking hot matcha on his brother's recommendation. —Jill Radsken

Examples of matcha 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.

In a cozy backroom of Hopstix brewpub in Chamblee earlier this month, a group of young social media content creators learned to mix matcha. — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 29 Oct. 2026 From a federal search tied to a former congressman’s donor to a new matcha spot in Roseville, Tuesday brought a mix of political, cultural and local business news. — Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026 In a coffee shop hub like Kansas City, there’s no limit on matcha options. — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 28 Oct. 2026 But Moe pulls it together in time for dinner and nails a menu that includes Thai crab salad, a beautiful piece of kingfish with curry, and a chocolate matcha cake. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for matcha

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Japanese, from mat-, form in compounding of matsu "to rub, daub, paint" + cha "tea"

First Known Use

1881, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of matcha was in 1881

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

match

matcha

matchable

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Matcha.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matcha. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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matcha

noun

Examples of matcha in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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