pepperoni

noun

pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpe-pə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
Synonyms of pepperoninext
: 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.
The pizza is finished with a pepperoni and cheese stuffed crust. Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 May 2026 Just do not expect a large pepperoni pizza to come floating down yet. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026 Drizzle this hot honey over goat cheese on your charcuterie board; serve alongside butter for fresh-from-the-oven biscuits; or top your next slice of pepperoni pizza for a serious flavor upgrade. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 15 May 2026 Crazy Puffs, introduced in 2024, are handheld pizza pockets with mozzarella cheese, optional pepperoni and sauce, topped with garlic butter and herbs. Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026 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 28 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

pepperoni

noun
pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpep-ə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
: a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage

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