tempura
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of tempura
1935–40; < Japanese tenpura, allegedly < Portuguese tempêro seasoning, taste (derivative of temperar to season < Latin temperāre; see temper)
Explanation
Tempura is a Japanese dish where seafood or vegetables are lightly battered and fried to a crispy perfection. The tempura cooking technique was introduced to Japan by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century and has since become a staple in Japanese cuisine. The light and airy texture of tempura makes it a favorite at Japanese restaurants around the world. Often served with a dipping sauce or sprinkled with salt, tempura showcases the delicious harmony of delicate batter and fresh ingredients.
Vocabulary lists containing tempura
World Cuisine - Introductory
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World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
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Foods from Asia
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The shrimp and vegetable tempura was remarkably light and crisp, while the tiraditos — sashimi dressed with vibrant Peruvian sauces — showcased the restaurant’s unique perspective.
From Salon ● Jun. 11, 2026
There will also be shrimp tempura and Georgia peach and ricotta flatbread with hot honey.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026
For inventive Franco-Caribbean cuisine, try Alizé, which opened in 2024 in the Marina Royale with a menu that includes a coconut-lobster cocktail and tempura brie.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 31, 2026
She was surrounded by lettuce, parsley, mint, alfalfa and purple shiso leaves used for tempura in one of her restaurants.
From New York Times ● Jun. 19, 2023
Lunches in Brookhaven went straight from garden to table: tomatoes with basil, eggplant, corn, zucchini flower tempura.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
