pastrami

noun

pas·​tra·​mi pə-ˈsträ-mē 

variants or less commonly pastromi

: a highly seasoned smoked beef prepared especially from shoulder cuts

Examples of pastrami in a Sentence

He ordered a pastrami sandwich.

Recent Examples on the Web

The business also sells its beef, pastrami and cheesecake online, through FreshDirect and at select grocery stores. — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 19 Aug. 2026

The bakers love experimenting with everything-but-the-kitchen-sink creations like a Wagyu Pastrami Cup (Wagyu pastrami, Parmesan, potato, mozzarella) and an Asparagus Bacon Danish (onion, black pepper, Philadelphia cream cheese, Swiss cheese). — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 10 Aug. 2026

Try the pastrami, corn beef or a Reuben sandwich, enjoy a bowl of matzoh ball soup, and get some black and whites for dessert. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Chicken, turkey, pastrami, salami — this little bodega’s sandwiches have it all. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish pastrame, from Romanian pastramă pressed and cured meat

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pastrami

• salami
• tatami
• thalami
• tsunami
• balmy
• brahmi
• commie
• mommy
• palmy
• rami
• saami
• swami

Kids Definition

pastrami

noun

pas·​tra·​mi pə-ˈsträm-ē 

: a highly seasoned smoked beef