pepperoni

noun

pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpe-pə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
Synonyms of pepperoninext
: a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage

Examples of pepperoni 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.
Crazy Puffs, introduced in 2024, are handheld pizza pockets with mozzarella cheese, optional pepperoni and sauce, topped with garlic butter and herbs. Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026 The pizza chain offers a litany of pies, ranging from cup-and-char pepperoni and Texas Barbecue to All-In Stuffed Crust and Spanish Garlic Chicken. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 Cut back on meats with nitrites, such as beef jerky, bacon, pepperoni and deli meats. Eva Flowe updated May 6, Charlotte Observer, 6 May 2026 And for many, the dish is defined as cheesy, tomatoey, thin-crust pies topped with sausage or pepperoni and cut tavern style. Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pepperoni

Word History

Etymology

Italian peperoni cayenne peppers, plural of peperone, augmentative of pepe pepper, from Latin piper — more at pepper

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pepperoni was in 1888

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepperoni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepperoni. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

pepperoni

noun
pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpep-ə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
: a highly seasoned beef and pork sausage

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