penne

noun

pen·​ne ˈpe(n)-(ˌ)nā How to pronounce penne (audio)
plural penne
: short thick diagonally cut tubular pasta

Examples of penne in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some of the most popular dishes are chicken cutlets, sausage and peppers, meatballs, penne, beef stew and the deep dish, Sicilian pizza. Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2026 Instead of brown rice, substitute it for whole-wheat penne pasta in this recipe. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026 Pizza still takes center stage, but the restaurant also offers wings (10 bone-in or boneless) and tenders (four to an order), baked ziti, penne alla vodka, fettuccine alfredo, and spaghetti and meatballs. Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 27 Feb. 2026 Drain the penne, reserving about 1/2 cup cooking water. Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 16 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for penne

Word History

Etymology

Italian, plural of penna, literally, quill, feather, pen, from Latin pinna feather & penna wing — more at pen

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of penne was in 1919

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Penne.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/penne. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.

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