✨📕 The NEWThe NEW Collegiate Dictionary, 12th Edition Over 5,000 words added — Buy Now! Collegiate DictionaryBuy Now!

penne

noun

pen·​ne ˈpe(n)-(ˌ)nā How to pronounce penne (audio)
plural penne
: short thick diagonally cut tubular pasta

Examples of penne 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.
Choose from sparkly spaghetti, ravioli, penne, or bow tie. Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 25 Nov. 2025 Add-ons include mac and cheese, penne alla vodka and chicken piccata. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 14 Nov. 2025 From penne to spaghetti to fettuccine, Casasalvo’s menu is nearly all pastas — all at risk of getting two times as expensive for him, and potentially two times as expensive for his customers. Brian Cheung, NBC news, 11 Nov. 2025 Popular dishes included the lasagna, penne alla vodka and chicken parm sandwich. Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for penne

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of penna, literally, quill, feather, pen, from Latin pinna feather & penna wing — more at pen

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of penne was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penne. Accessed 2 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!