pepperoni

noun

pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpe-pə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
Synonyms of pepperoninext
: a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage

Examples of pepperoni 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.
Sandwiches will include the Maestro (an Italian sub with ham, salami, pepperoni, Chicago-style giardiniera, homemade balsamic). — Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026 Try the hot pies with high-end ingredients like Ezzo pepperoni, Porcellino Diablo salami, Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes and homemade pickled chiles. — Usa Today Network, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026 Lentils did a great job of bulking out a pound of meat (as well as being quite common in Italian cooking), while pepperoni doubled down on umami and added a pop of heat. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026 In the United States, common deli meats include ham, turkey and roast beef, but around the world there are many others, such as salami, pepperoni, capicola and even head cheese. — Anna Dilger, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pepperoni

Word History

Etymology

Italian peperoni cayenne peppers, plural of peperone, augmentative of pepe pepper, from Latin piper — more at pepper

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pepperoni was in 1888

Rhymes for pepperoni

See All Rhymes for pepperoni

Browse Nearby Words

pepper oil
pepperoni
pepper plant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepperoni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepperoni. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pepperoni

noun
pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpep-ə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
: a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage

More from Merriam-Webster on pepperoni

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pepperoni

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