pièce de résistance
noun
pièce de ré·sis·tance
pē-ˌes-də-rə-ˌzē-ˈstän(t)s 
-rā-,
-ˈstäⁿs
plural pièces de résistance
pē-ˌes-də-rə-ˌzē-ˈstän(t)s
-rā-,
-ˈstäⁿs
1
: the chief dish of a meal
2
: an outstanding item or event : showpiece
Examples of pièce de résistance in a Sentence
The pièce de résistance of the whole concert was when the two bands came onstage to perform together.
The waiter suggested we try the restaurant's pièce de résistance: the chocolate soufflé.
Recent Examples on the Web
There was the autumn error at Sunderland, his hand in all three of Hull City’s goals in a 3-3 draw and then, the piece de resistance, his gift of two goals to Swansea City in last March’s 2-2 draw.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Maybe Prussian blue is a little easier to wear than orange, red and black, the colors of the German flag, but the piece de resistance was the tiara.
—Monique Jessen, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
But the piece de resistance is a small button on the face of the guitar that, when pressed, activates a chip on a soundboard that elicits the distinctive roar of Godzilla.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
This speakeasy-style bar is a piece de resistance honoring the totality of the duo's hip-hop and pop cultural legacies.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The piece de resistance might be the Mickey ears on the brand's Swipe bag.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The piece de resistance was outside, a 1969 Jean Prouvé gas station, available thanks to Paris art dealer and Galerie Downtown owner François Laffanour.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Mar. 2025
The piece de resistance is heavy cream, which adds a velvety texture to the simple wine sauce, making for a company-pleasing dish every time.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025
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.
Beren Cross, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Maybe Prussian blue is a little easier to wear than orange, red and black, the colors of the German flag, but the piece de resistance was the tiara.
—Monique Jessen, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025
But the piece de resistance is a small button on the face of the guitar that, when pressed, activates a chip on a soundboard that elicits the distinctive roar of Godzilla.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
This speakeasy-style bar is a piece de resistance honoring the totality of the duo's hip-hop and pop cultural legacies.
—Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The piece de resistance might be the Mickey ears on the brand's Swipe bag.
—Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
The piece de resistance was outside, a 1969 Jean Prouvé gas station, available thanks to Paris art dealer and Galerie Downtown owner François Laffanour.
—Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Mar. 2025
The piece de resistance is heavy cream, which adds a velvety texture to the simple wine sauce, making for a company-pleasing dish every time.
—Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pièce de résistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pi%C3%A8ce%20de%20r%C3%A9sistance. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pièce de résistance
noun
pièce de ré·sis·tance
pē-ˌes-də-rə-ˌzē-ˈstän(t)s
plural pièces de résistance
same
1
: the main dish of a meal
2
: an outstanding item or event : showpiece
Etymology
French, literally, "piece of resistance"
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
