pepperoni

noun

pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpe-pə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
: 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.
Campisi’s didn’t offer pepperoni for years, serving a hand-cut salami instead. Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Mar. 2025 The Detroit-style spicy pepperoni, with its goat cheese and hot honey, is dream-like. Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Mar. 2025 The joke set-ups involved Kendrick Lamar, paper straws, and Domino’s new pepperoni pizza perfume. Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Feb. 2025 Choose from The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, pepperoni or cheese on Thursday, March 13, or Friday, March. Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepperoni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepperoni. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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