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 restaurant also offers Italian-style pizzas, like margherita and pepperoni, along with sides like tandoori or buffalo wings, mozzarella sticks and jalapeño poppers. Kate Bradshaw, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026 Tender chicken breasts are breaded and baked in marinara sauce then topped with gooey mozzarella and pepperoni (other toppings are welcome, too). Phoebe Evans, Southern Living, 13 Apr. 2026 The loaf is topped with hot honey and features an explosion of pepperoni cups in the middle, along with marinara sauce, mozzarella, and more pepperoni folded into the dough. Joseph Erbentraut, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Apr. 2026 Cut the pepperoni into small cubes. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 9 Apr. 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 28 Apr. 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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