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 Lower East Side favorite is renowned for its thick-cut pastrami and corned beef, best enjoyed piled high on rye. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026

Arthur Grigoryan’s viral pastrami basturma pita now has a permanent home at Yerord Mas in Glendale. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2026

This Jewish deli does far more than pastrami, with a full deli counter and dine-in menu—there are frankfurters with saurkraut and other pickled things, knishes and latkes, matzo ball soup, and even gefilte fish—but the sky-high sandwiches are the reason to take the train alllll the way uptown. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Jan. 2026

That affects Leven’s best-selling item — the pastrami Reuben that sells for $20. —Max Scheinblum, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 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