pièce de résistance

noun

pièce de ré·​sis·​tance pē-ˌes-də-rə-ˌzē-ˈstän(t)s How to pronounce pièce de résistance (audio)
-rā-,
-ˈstäⁿs
plural pièces de résistance pē-ˌes-də-rə-ˌzē-ˈstän(t)s How to pronounce pièce de résistance (audio)
-rā-,
-ˈstäⁿs
1
: the chief dish of a meal
2
: an outstanding item or event : showpiece

Examples of pièce de résistance in a Sentence

The pièce de résistance of the whole concert was when the two bands came onstage to perform together. The waiter suggested we try the restaurant's pièce de résistance: the chocolate soufflé.
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.
The piece de resistance came in the 24th minute, a flowing move that ended with Achraf Hakimi charging down the right wing and finding Fabian Ruiz for a sublime third goal. Oliver Kay, New York Times, 9 July 2025 This speakeasy-style bar is a piece de resistance honoring the totality of the duo's hip-hop and pop cultural legacies. Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025 The piece de resistance might be the Mickey ears on the brand's Swipe bag. Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 The piece de resistance is the envelope, which is fully lined in tissue that, naturally, matches the color used on the notecard. Rima Suqi, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025 The piece de resistance is heavy cream, which adds a velvety texture to the simple wine sauce, making for a company-pleasing dish every time. Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 8 Feb. 2025 The piece de resistance was outside, a 1969 Jean Prouvé gas station, available thanks to Paris art dealer and Galerie Downtown owner François Laffanour. Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 30 Mar. 2025 Smyth Tavern The piece de resistance at Smyth Tribeca is Smyth Tavern, a warm and welcoming restaurant off the lobby that serves upscale comfort food. Lois Alter Mark, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Storytelling includes thw history of One Wall Street, formerly a bank, the Irving Trust Company, and consists of the store's piece de resistance, the Red Room, which houses the stores' women's shoes. Roxanne Robinson, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, piece of resistance

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pièce de résistance was in 1789

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Cite this Entry

“Pièce de résistance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pi%C3%A8ce%20de%20r%C3%A9sistance. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

pièce de résistance

noun
pièce de ré·​sis·​tance pē-ˌes-də-rə-ˌzē-ˈstän(t)s How to pronounce pièce de résistance (audio)
plural pièces de résistance
same
 How to pronounce pièce de résistance (audio)
1
: the main dish of a meal
2
: an outstanding item or event : showpiece
Etymology

French, literally, "piece of resistance"

More from Merriam-Webster on pièce de résistance

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