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

With its tender texture, it can be used as a base for salads, added to pasta, sprinkled over top of a pizza, or turned into pesto. — Molly Allen, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2026

At La Fetta’s newest location, the Sublime sandwich’s many components harmoniously dance together — particularly the hot soppressata, pesto and burrata — to make for a spicy and nutty bite of a sandwich. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Winter Soupe au Pistou Ready in an hour, this hearty spin on a French vegetable soup calls for white beans, pasta, butternut squash, kale, and a swirl of pesto. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 27 Oct. 2026

Mozzarella temped at 60 degrees, cut tomatoes with basil and pesto 55 degrees. — Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 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