panini

noun pa·ni·ni \ pə-ˈnē-nē \

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

|Updated on: 14 Jun 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

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
The restaurant is slated to open May 17, selling items like made-to-order acai bowls, smoothies, paninis and salads The Windermere location is opening May 27 at 8014 Conroy Windermere Road in the Grand Oaks Village shopping center.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Healthy eatery Vitality Bowls opening near Windermere," 8 May 2018
Giardino will serve a three-course regular brunch menu with options like baked mussels, eggplant rolls, banana French toast, classic Benedict or sausage panini.

— carolina gusman, sandiegouniontribune.com, "117 ways to celebrate mom: Your San Diego guide to Mother's Day brunches, lunches and dinners," 7 May 2018
Most of the panini are made on house focaccia that is baked fresh here daily, and these feature many of the same topping options as the pizzas.

— larry olmsted, USA TODAY, "Barilla now has five fast-casual restaurants," 21 Mar. 2018
An example of this is the speck ham and gruyere panini.

— shelbie lynn bostedt, RedEye Chicago, "The world's first official Nutella cafe is opening in Chicago," 19 May 2017
But Saverio's also has a lighter, more modern side reflected in special pizza toppings like goat cheese, Gorgonzola, eggplant and pork loin as well as offerings like the fresh mozzarella and prosciutto panini ($12.99).

— Anchorage Daily News, "At Saverio’s, many kinds of pizzeria under one roof," 19 Apr. 2018
Lunch prices range from $7 for a 10-inch cheese pizza to $8 for rigatoni Bolognese to $9 for Mediterranean fresh tuna panini, all served with salad.

— ann maloney, NOLA.com, "A taste of Sicily draws diners to Mandeville trattoria," 10 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.