tortilla chip

American

[tawr-tee-uh chip] / tɔrˈti ə ˌtʃɪp /

noun

a snack chip, often triangular in shape, made from corn tortillas that are cut bite-sized or slightly larger and fried, or made directly from masa that is rolled, cut, and fried or baked.

Etymology

Origin of tortilla chip

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

An elephant's trunk can surpass a human's height and lift trees -- a marvel of strength that's conversely so gentle it can grasp a tortilla chip without breaking it.

From Barron's • Feb. 12, 2026

At one point, they create a “Jaws” parody with a tortilla chip and jar of salsa.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 29, 2025

The elephants could even use suction to lift up something as thin and fragile as a tortilla chip without breaking it.

From NewsForKids.net • Jun. 20, 2024

It remained right there on grocery store shelves and it never stopped being the creamiest, meltiest cheese-like product to ever grace a tortilla chip or a bowl of macaroni.

From Salon • Feb. 23, 2023

Anyone who has dipped a tortilla chip too deep into a bowl of habanero salsa can sympathize.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2022

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023