pilaf

noun

pi·​laf pi-ˈläf 

-ˈlȯf;

ˈpē-ˌläf, 

-ˌlȯf 

variants or less commonly pilaff

pi-ˈläf 

-ˈlȯf;

ˈpē-ˌläf, 

-ˌlȯf

or pilau

pi-ˈlō  -ˈlȯ 

ˈpē-(ˌ)lō, 

-ˌlȯ;

Southern often ˈpər-(ˌ)lü, 

-(ˌ)lō

or pilaw

pi-ˈlō 

-ˈlȯ, 

ˈpē-(ˌ)lō, 

-ˌlȯ;

Southern often ˈpər-(ˌ)lü, 

-(ˌ)lō

: a dish made of seasoned rice and often meat

Examples of pilaf in a Sentence

a serving of rice pilaf

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s trout almondine with rice pilaf from California’s Sequoia National Park – golden trout live in those high-elevation lakes and streams – and cast-iron rib eyes from Lassen Volcanic National Park, which has a history of cattle ranching. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Top meatballs and pilaf with mint leaves (if using) and more pistachios, raisins, and feta. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026

They’re packed with a protein of the buyer’s choice, a grain like pilaf or quinoa, sides, soup, bread and cookies. —Aviva Bechky, Houston Chronicle, 27 Jan. 2026

Pilau is a classic rice pilaf from the Lowcountry, and this one features shrimp, tomato and bell pepper. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Turkish & Persian; Turkish pilav, from Persian pilāv

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pilaf

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

pilaf

noun

pi·​laf

variants also pilaff

pi-ˈläf  ˈpē-ˌläf 

or pilau

pi-ˈlō 

-ˈlȯ, 

ˈpē-;

Southern often ˈpər-lü, 

-lō

: a dish made of seasoned rice and often meat