Parmesan

noun

Par·​me·​san ˈpär-mə-ˌzän How to pronounce Parmesan (audio)
-ˌzhän,
-zən,
-ˌzan How to pronounce Parmesan (audio)
: a very hard dry sharply flavored cheese that is sold grated or in wedges
sprinkled grated Parmesan over the spaghetti

Examples of Parmesan 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.
Whisk in mustard and Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, and Parmesan. —Alyson Sheppard, Robb Report, 2 Nov. 2024 In a medium bowl, stir together mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. —Kermilia White, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2024 In a small bowl, combine ½ cup Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 1 Nov. 2024 Two parts extra-sharp cheddar, one part Monterey Jack, one part Parmesan. —Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appétit, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Parmesan 

Word History

Etymology

short for Parmesan cheese; Parmesan "of the city of Parma," borrowed from Middle French parmisan, probably borrowed from a western Upper Italian variant of Tuscan parmigiano, from Parma "Parma" + -igiano, adjective suffix of appurtenance, from Vulgar Latin *-ēs- (going back to Latin -ensis, adjective suffix of place) + Latin -iānus -ian entry 2

Note: The expected Tuscan (and standard Italian) outcome of -igiano would be -iciano; cf. standard Italian bacio "kiss" (from Latin bāsium), usually pronounced [ˈba šo], but Ligurian [ˈba žu], Trentino (northwest Italy) [ˈba žo] (see Gerhard Rohlfs, Grammatica storica della lingua italiana e dei suoi dialetti: Sintassi e formazione delle parole, Turin, 1969, p. 392). The form -igiano with a voiced consonant hence presumably reflects Upper Italian influence. For instances of the same suffix as borrowed into French see courtesan, partisan entry 1. The common American English pronunciation of Parmesan with \zh\ may show dialectal Italian influence.

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Parmesan was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near Parmesan

Parmentiera

Parmesan

parmigiana

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Parmesan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Parmesan. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

Parmesan

noun
Par·​me·​san ˈpär-mə-ˌzän How to pronounce Parmesan (audio) -ˌzhän How to pronounce Parmesan (audio)
-zən,
-ˌzan
: a very hard dry sharply flavored cheese that is sold grated or in wedges

More from Merriam-Webster on Parmesan

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Parmesan

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