pastrami

noun

pas·​tra·​mi pə-ˈsträ-mē 

variants or less commonly pastromi

: a highly seasoned smoked beef prepared especially from shoulder cuts

Examples of pastrami in a Sentence

He ordered a pastrami sandwich.

Recent Examples on the Web

Goldman was adamant that the menu reflect his favorite deli foods, like pastrami sandwiches and desserts, of course, like black and white cookies and even a green and white cookie that will come with pistachio and cardamom. —Emily Rella, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

The menu brought levels of spice that made noses run, and dishes like kung pao pastrami effortlessly blended culinary influences. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 19 Nov. 2025

The room was hazy with cigar smoke and strewn with pastrami and coleslaw. —David Denby, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

The menu includes a variety of breakfast and lunch bagel sandwiches, including a lox, pastrami, egg and cheese, and a turkey club. —Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 7 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish pastrame, from Romanian pastramă pressed and cured meat

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pastrami

• salami
• tatami
• thalami
• tsunami
• balmy
• brahmi
• commie
• mommy
• palmy
• rami
• saami
• swami

Kids Definition

pastrami

noun

pas·​tra·​mi pə-ˈsträm-ē 

: a highly seasoned smoked beef