panini

noun pa·ni·ni \ pə-ˈnē-nē \

variants: or less commonly panino play \pə-ˈnē-nō\

|Updated on: 26 Jul 2018

Definition of panini

plural panini or paninis

: a usually grilled sandwich made with Italian bread

Note: Panini is a plural form in Italian but is commonly used as both a singular and a plural in English. Its use as a singular has given rise the variant plural form paninis. The use of panino as a singular form in English has become relatively uncommon as panini has become established as the usual singular.

Recent Examples of panini from the Web

At lunch, sandwiches ($6 to $10.50) replace the entrees, with selections like a sirloin steakburger, a tuna wrap and a variety of panini.

— leeanne griffin, courant.com, "River: An Italian-Inspired, Waterfront Restaurant With An Unrivaled View," 18 June 2018
Lunch and dinner offer pasta, panini, subs, salads, pizza and desserts, including New York-style cheesecakes, tiramisu and panna cotta.

— azcentral, "Italian restaurant Maui Pasta in Scottsdale is a story of love, loss, pasta," 6 July 2018
Around Queen Anne: Koku Café + Market has Japanese and Asian-fusion rice bowls and panini.

— tan vinh, The Seattle Times, "Loosen your belt: 46 more restaurant and ice cream openings in Seattle and on the Eastside to try," 25 June 2018
Bun types are matters of debate (Pizza Romana serves its as a panini on twin slabs of pizza crust).

— garrett snyder, Los Angeles Magazine, "Why Los Angeles Fell Head Over Heels for the Fried Chicken Sandwich," 25 June 2018
There was a roasted turkey and swiss sandwich, a Philly cheesesteak panini, a buffalo chicken wrap, a chicken banh mi, an Italian hero, a Thai chicken wrap, a chicken Caesar salad, and a layered quinoa veggie salad.

— nancy trejos, USA TODAY, "Amtrak revamps its food and beverage menu," 15 June 2018
Donahoe swabs the palate of our mouth, then squishes our right small intestine like a panini.

— karen helle, chicagotribune.com, "Go ahead, hate Goop; Gwyneth Paltrow is having the last laugh," 14 June 2018
Sandwiches, wraps and paninis are offered from 11 a.m. until close.

— shonda talerico dudlicek, Lake County News-Sun, "Family works together at It's All Good Deli in Zion," 23 May 2018
In addition to crêpes, Sweet Paris serves waffles, salads, paninis, seasonal soups and milkshakes.

— tracy maness, Houston Chronicle, "Sweet Paris serves crêpes with a cause," 2 Apr. 2018

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