falafel
noun
fa·la·fel fə-ˈlä-fəl 
variants or less commonly felafel
plural falafel also felafel
: a spicy mixture of ground vegetables (such as chickpeas or fava beans) formed into balls or patties and then fried
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The festival also offers a selection of Israeli and Middle Eastern options including chicken shawarma, falafel and fresh-baked pita bread, Rabbi Luchins said, an homage to Jewish history and heritage. 
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 Wright said several Forty Thieves menu items will continue to be available, including the gyro and falafel sandwich. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 16 Aug. 2022 The cafe is the only local establishment serving Middle Eastern and Jewish food — pita sandwiches, falafel, salads, hummus and chopped herring. David L. Stern, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 The original Garbonzos, a small chain of falafel bars that — if old reviews can be trusted — introduced Portland to the joys of fried chickpea balls, closed its original and longest-running location in 2005. Michael Russell, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2020 Salads that don’t already come with chicken can have chicken, falafel or shrimp added for an extra price. Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2022 The falafel pita is exactly what its name suggests. Terry Ward, CNN, 11 May 2022 There’s a lemon-rice soup, long a staple at local Greek restaurants; mushroom queso birria tacos; an aguachile appetizer; chicken souvlaki; split pea falafel; and a chicken shawarma skewer. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 May 2022 Goodies like falafel can be stuffed into the pocket, although pitas are also wrapped around ingredients—as in the case of gyros—or used to scoop up dips such as hummus and tzatziki. Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 15 Apr. 2022 See More
Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2022 Wright said several Forty Thieves menu items will continue to be available, including the gyro and falafel sandwich. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 16 Aug. 2022 The cafe is the only local establishment serving Middle Eastern and Jewish food — pita sandwiches, falafel, salads, hummus and chopped herring. David L. Stern, Washington Post, 22 July 2022 The original Garbonzos, a small chain of falafel bars that — if old reviews can be trusted — introduced Portland to the joys of fried chickpea balls, closed its original and longest-running location in 2005. Michael Russell, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2020 Salads that don’t already come with chicken can have chicken, falafel or shrimp added for an extra price. Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2022 The falafel pita is exactly what its name suggests. Terry Ward, CNN, 11 May 2022 There’s a lemon-rice soup, long a staple at local Greek restaurants; mushroom queso birria tacos; an aguachile appetizer; chicken souvlaki; split pea falafel; and a chicken shawarma skewer. Stefene Russell, The Salt Lake Tribune, 5 May 2022 Goodies like falafel can be stuffed into the pocket, although pitas are also wrapped around ingredients—as in the case of gyros—or used to scoop up dips such as hummus and tzatziki. Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 15 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Arabic falāfil
First Known Use
1936, in the meaning defined above