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.
Younger students get chicken parmesan bites with whole grain penne pasta and marinara sauce; older students get Chinese chicken salad, turkey club wraps, shake ramen with veggies and herb roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and glazed baby carrots, said OCDE’s Hanigan. Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025 The original recipe calls for penne, a traditional pairing for chunkier tomato sauces. Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 Eight restaurants, gallons of sauce, many pounds of penne — and hundreds of pasta lovers with discriminating palates. Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2025 Classic pairings include rigatoni, penne, cavatappi, cascatelli, ziti, and rotini. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2025 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 8 Oct. 2025.

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