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.
Some stood in line for a couple of frozen pepperoni pizzas. — Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 27 June 2026 Salud is a brewery, and its cheese and pepperoni pizzas are merely very good. — Peter St. Onge updated June 24, Charlotte Observer, 24 June 2026 Starting along short side of rectangle, lay 4 pieces of pepperoni side by side, half-inch apart, and roll into tight cylinder, pinching seam to seal. — ABC News, 29 June 2026 Try the Miners Beach special, covered in pepperoni, sausage, jalapeños, ham, and pineapple. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 21 June 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

Rhymes for pepperoni

See All Rhymes for pepperoni

Browse Nearby Words

pepper oil
pepperoni
pepper plant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pepperoni.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pepperoni. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for pepperoni

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