antipasto

noun an·ti·pas·to \ ˌan-tē-ˈpas-(ˌ)tō , ˌän-tē- , -ˈpäs- \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Definition of antipasto

plural antipasti \-(ˌ)tē\

: any of various typically Italian hors d'oeuvres; also : a plate of these served especially as the first course of a meal

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Recent Examples of antipasto from the Web

All dinners came with soup, salad and an antipasto plate.

— jeff rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Renowned restaurateur Arthur Maniaci brought tastes of Italy to Fox Point," 19 June 2018
My personal strategy rarely wavers: antipasto, pasta, split dolce, and a bottle of wine.

— matt goulding, Condé Nast Traveler, "How to Eat Like an Italian," 13 June 2018
This very good salad, which obviously glances toward Southeast Asia, is a smart way to handle an antipasto standby that is usually pointless except when melons are in season.

— New York Times, "Red-Sauce Italian Cooking Finds a Future at Don Angie," 29 May 2018
Every Friday night during my childhood, without fail, my family would sit down to an elaborate antipasto.

— gabriella paiella, The Cut, "This Twitter Account Devoted to Angry Italians Is My Favorite Place Online," 13 June 2018
Rise Craft Coffee + Eatery Cold brew coffee on tap, espresso drinks, pastries, breakfast burgers and antipasto plates are just a few of the offerings at this cafe that took over the old Jobot Coffee and Diner building in downtown Phoenix.

— jennifer mcclellan, azcentral, "19 new restaurants opened in Phoenix in May for donuts, salads, tacos, pizza," 1 June 2018
Other toppings: cured black olives from the antipasto bar at Whole Foods, olive oil–packed tuna (the good stuff), and 8-minute eggs.

— emily schultz, Bon Appetit, "It’s Called TOTES Toast: Tuna, Olives, Tomato, Eggs, Shallot," 22 May 2018
Alternatively, get everyone in on the act and ask guests to bring along their favorite antipasto or salad for casual alfresco nibbling.

— kelsey kloss, ELLE Decor, "Refreshing Pool Party Ideas That Are Afloat With Style," 3 May 2018
Messina's other specialty food items were its signature antipasto display, duck and andouille gumbo, canefield salad, a pork loin carving station, crawfish zydeco pasta and white chocolate bread pudding.

— elizabeth moore, NOLA.com, "North Shore Notables: Archbishop Hannan High celebrates the "Crimson and Navy"," 15 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'antipasto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of antipasto

Italian, from anti- (from Latin ante-) + pasto food, from Latin pastus, from pascere to feed — more at food

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First Known Use: 1590

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ANTIPASTO Defined for English Language Learners

antipasto

noun

Definition of antipasto for English Language Learners

: a plate of cold meat or vegetables that is served especially as the first course of a meal

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about antipasto

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