pepperoni

noun

pep·​per·​o·​ni ˌpe-pə-ˈrō-nē How to pronounce pepperoni (audio)
: 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.
Spicy Three-Meat Sauce: Diners can also opt for a new sauce made with cherry and red bell peppers, pepperoni, red wine, garlic, chili flakes and Olive Garden's classic meat sauce. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025 Toppings include plain cheese, pepperoni and supreme (pepperoni, sausage, bell pepper, onion and mushroom). Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 National Pizza Day deals in Greater Cincinnati and beyond Big Ash Brewing: Order a small cheese or pepperoni pizza for just $5. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025 The thick slices of pepperoni are otherworldly, and the fresh dough and tangy marinara are unparalleled. Mackensy Lunsford, The Tennessean, 2 July 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 Jul. 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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