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
Gen Alpha has acquired a taste for shrimp tempura and salmon nigiri—and parents are paying a heavy price.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 2, 2026
The amount is equivalent to more than 6,000 orders of his most popular dish: soba with mixed vegetables and seafood tempura, which costs just over $3.
From New York Times ● Jun. 7, 2024
I order miso soup, shrimp tempura, and California rolls with cooked fake crab.
From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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.
