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.
The menu includes everything from traditional cheese and pepperoni to their take on pineapple and meat-lovers pizzas. Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 17 Jan. 2026 Bar bites including pepperoni chips, personal pies and signature hot chicken wings are also $8 a pop. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2026 Attendees also get bubbles and pepperoni rolls to snack on before the big drop. Elliott Harrell, Southern Living, 19 Dec. 2025 There was also an unhinged Italian hoagie recipe, consisting of pepperoni, shredded mozzarella, raw garlic, mushrooms, and black olives. Adam Erace, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Dec. 2025 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 28 Jan. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on pepperoni

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