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

Our top finds include a roasting pan for your future Thanksgiving turkey, a grill pan to make steak, chicken, and a crispy panini without firing up the grill, and a versatile utensil set. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 Sep. 2025

Its menu focus on paninis, salads, pasta and desserts. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025

The cafe offers sweet and savory crepes, waffles, breakfast crepes, egg dishes, soups, salads and paninis. —Endia Fontanez, AZCentral.com, 4 Sep. 2025

Dozens of vendors sell fresh produce, cheese, and excellent street food—don’t miss a pork panini from Porchetta Revolution—as well as artisan gifts, clothing, and jewelry. —Blane Bachelor, AFAR Media, 29 Aug. 2025

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
• agouti
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee