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

The menu has an array of starters, poké bowls, and a selection of panini, along with an interesting wine list that includes choices from around the world. —Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2026

For lunch, enjoy a choice of housemade hummus and pita, salads, paninis on homemade breads, and/or fresh pastas (the more the merrier). —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026

Lunch fare includes sandwiches, paninis, rolls and salads. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 3 Apr. 2026

Our layered panini, made with prosciutto, basil, tomato, and fresh mozzarella, were also fantastic. —Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Feb. 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
• agouti
• allottee
• amphorae
• amputee
• apc
• apogee
• appointee
• assessee