pesto

noun

pes·​to ˈpe-(ˌ)stō 

: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese

Examples of pesto in a Sentence

Top the bread with pesto.

Recent Examples on the Web

How to Make 15-Minute Lemon Ricotta Pasta Traditional pesto is typically an unabashed ode to basil, but the Pasta Queen takes a different route here. — Maggie Meyer Glisan, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 July 2026

The gnocchi was perfectly doughy and the pesto sauce was scrumptious. — Carolyn Burt, Oc Register, 30 July 2026

Nothing replaces the way the two-piece mortar and pestle can crush spices, grind pesto or other herbal sauces, or smash nuts for a crispy topping. — Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Martha Stewart, 30 July 2026

Bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, and fresh tomato make up the bulk of the soup, with bright basil pesto adding an herbaceous finish. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from pesto, adjective, pounded, from pestare to pound, from Late Latin pistare, frequentative of Latin pinsere

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pesto

noun

pes·​to ˈpes-tō 

: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese