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.
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 Biochemically, two therapies might be the equivalent of a pizza with pepperoni and another with artichokes. Nancy Walecki, The Atlantic, 8 Dec. 2025 Health inspectors gave the gas station a yellow placard after cheese pepperoni, ranchero steak and southwest chicken tornadoes on the roller grill measured outside of the temperature range considered safe. Sacbee.com, 5 Dec. 2025 The recipe typically contains cheese and pepperoni as a protein source. Merve Ceylan, Health, 5 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 18 Dec. 2025.

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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