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.
There are plenty of different bentos available daily, plus sides such as tempura and gyoza. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026 The Aegean Dragon maki ($23), for example, combines shrimp tempura with criollo relish and harissa, while the Kataifi ($33) wraps tuna and melon in shredded pastry. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 Okonomiyaki Hana stands out for the light, tempura-like batter on its cabbage pancakes, and Curry bitSOMA cooks each ingredient separately before layering them in deeply flavorful curry dishes. — Senior Food Editor, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 Udon Fifty’s dark broth will be complemented by housemade noodles and tempura that’s lacquered with a proprietary blend. — Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on tempura

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tempura

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