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.

Spread into an even layer and roast for 30–40 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the vegetables are tender and the tofu is lightly browned and crisp around the edges. — ABC News, 22 Oct. 2026 Eggs contain no fiber, while 3 ounces (oz) of firm tofu has between 1 and 2 grams (g). — Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 19 Oct. 2026 Keep it meatless over rice or quinoa with some tofu, or mix in leftover chicken or beef that needs to be used up. — Danielle Bouchard, Martha Stewart, 15 Oct. 2026 Roast tofu and sweet potatoes, ruffly kale, a powerfully herby dressing. — Emma Laperruque, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Oct. 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

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Toft ware

tofu

tog

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tofu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tofu. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

More from Merriam-Webster on tofu

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

milieu

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes