pancetta

noun

pan·​cet·​ta (ˌ)pan-ˈche-tə How to pronounce pancetta (audio)
: unsmoked bacon used especially in Italian cuisine

Examples of pancetta 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.
When dark and mostly cooked, place in the pan with onions and pancetta fat. CBS News, 17 Dec. 2025 Other shareables include a carbonara pizza with pancetta, egg, and parmigiano reggiano, roasted potatoes and a panzanella salad with marinated tomatoes, arugula, bread rusks and parmigiano reggiano. Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Nov. 2025 Brussels sprouts involve crisping up pancetta and chopping a wealth of hazelnuts. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 18 Nov. 2025 White bread, pancetta, leeks, and artichoke hearts star in this crispy, savory dish. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pancetta

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from diminutive of pancia belly, paunch, from Latin pantic-, pantex

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pancetta was in 1841

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pancetta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pancetta. Accessed 1 Jan. 2026.

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!