panini

noun

pa·​ni·​ni pə-ˈnē-nē 

variants or less commonly panino

pə-ˈnē-nō 

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.

On each visit, someone at our table invariably orders a panini …

—Jodi Wright

At the back of the shop are paninis, freshly brewed coffee and two tubs of homemade soups.

—M. H. Reed

Examples of panini in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Press’d also offers a variety of sandwiches and sourdough toasts like the Coastline Melt (panini with ham, gouda cheese, sliced tomatoes, hot peach jam and signature sauce on a focaccia bread; $12) and the Avo Deluxe (avocado, cherry tomatoes, balsamic drizzle, everything seasoning; $11). —Kansas City Star, 12 June 2026

Caffe dello Sport, which has locations in the North End and East Boston, is showing every match while serving up espresso, panini, pastries and a full bar. —Neal Riley, CBS News, 12 June 2026

The broccolini panini with a side of Henrietta potatoes (smashed and fried and tossed in garlic aioli and Parmesan cheese). —Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Savory, nutty Gruyère cheese is a perfect complement to the soft sweetness of the maple butter slathered onto the slices of bread before the whole thing hits the panini press. —Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of pane bread, from Latin panis — more at food

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for panini

• abc
• absentee
• addressee
• adoptee
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee
• assignee