plural delis
: a store or department of a store where ready-to-eat food products (such as cooked meats and prepared salads) are sold : delicatessen
You shuffle off to the deli and pick up a pastrami-on-rye and an egg cream. The bald man behind the counter whistles cheerfully as he slices the meat.—
Jay McInerney
Jay McInerneySixth Avenue in midtown was once lined with convenient, low-priced delis, cafeterias, coffee shops, and the like.—Brendan Gill
Brendan Gill
also
: the food sold at a delicatessen
If you're hungry for deli in Miami, only the Rascal House will do. —Norman Kolpas
Norman Kolpas … a neat, orderly, well-lighted place so clean you could eat deli off the floor … —Jack Fincher
—often used before another noun Jack Fincher deli meats/platters
waiting in line at the deli counter
Examples of deli in a Sentence
We bought sandwiches and drinks at the deli.
Recent Examples on the Web
Between March 2024 and June 2025, Seferlis sent at least 40 letters and two postcards to more than 25 Jewish institutions, including synagogues, museums, community centers, schools, nonprofit organizations and several Jewish delis, according to court officials.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Costco has recalled a ready-to-eat meal from the deli that could be contaminated with Salmonella.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
The chain recently introduced a new Family Meal deal allowing customers to build a customizable Family Meal platter consisting of one deli entree and two deli sides each, for just $35 to feed four people.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
The 2,400 square-foot deli, at the former Cooking Company, 187 Route 81, Killingworth, opened in early February.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
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Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026
Costco has recalled a ready-to-eat meal from the deli that could be contaminated with Salmonella.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
The chain recently introduced a new Family Meal deal allowing customers to build a customizable Family Meal platter consisting of one deli entree and two deli sides each, for just $35 to feed four people.
—Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2026
The 2,400 square-foot deli, at the former Cooking Company, 187 Route 81, Killingworth, opened in early February.
—Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deli
Cite this Entry
“Deli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deli. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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