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

Behind the case of salumi and a variety of spreads — all of which, aside from turkey and pastrami, are imported from Italy — rectangular focaccia loaves, golden brown with deep indentations, sat inside a basket covered with a gingham towel. —Bahar Anooshahr, AZCentral.com, 2 Feb. 2026

Stephanie also reports on the Yerord Mas in Glendale, the new home for Arthur Grigoryan’s viral pastrami basturma pita. —Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026

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

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

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