sandwich

1 of 2

noun

sand·​wich ˈsan(d)-ˌwich 

ˈsam-;

dialectal ˈsaŋ-

1

a

: two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between

b

: one slice of bread covered with food

Have an open-faced sandwich, with one slice of bread instead of two, mustard instead of butter, and some vegetable sticks to munch on.

—Your Health & Fitness

2

: something resembling a sandwich

especially : composite structural material consisting of layers often of high-strength facings bonded to a low strength central core

sandwich

2 of 2

verb

sandwiched; sandwiching; sandwiches

transitive verb

1

: to make into or as if into a sandwich

especially : to insert or enclose between usually two things of another quality or character

2

: to make a place for

—often used with in or between

Synonyms of sandwich

Verb

• stuff
• cram
• squeeze
• wedge
• jam
• load
• pack

Examples of sandwich in a Sentence

Noun

I had a ham sandwich for lunch.

a peanut butter and jelly sandwich

Verb

sandwiched six kids into the backseat somehow

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her aunt used to own the popular sandwich shop in the plaza, Ba Le Sandwich, and her parents owned a hair salon and liquor store across the street. —Chierstin Roth, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

Beyond game day wings, customers can expect pizzas, burgers, sandwiches and salads, among other classic bar bites. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 27 Apr. 2026

Verb

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made the remarks in Saint Petersburg, where he is expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, having sandwiched a trip to Oman in between visits to main mediator Pakistan over the past few days. —April 27, CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026

The area sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Currituck Sound is packed with maritime forests, sand dunes, and shrub thickets, all untouched, all wild, and all waiting patiently for visitors to explore. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 27 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich †1792 English diplomat

First Known Use

Noun

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sandwich

• club sandwich
• Cuban sandwich
• Denver sandwich
• French-dip sandwich
• grilled cheese sandwich
• hero sandwich
• Italian sandwich
• Monte Cristo sandwich
• open-faced sandwich
• open-face sandwich
• open sandwich
• sandwich board
• sandwich coin
• sandwich course
• sandwich generation
• sandwich man
• western sandwich

Kids Definition

sandwich

1 of 2 noun

sand·​wich ˈsan-(ˌ)(d)wich 

1

: one or more slices of bread or a roll with a filling or spread

2

: something resembling a sandwich

sandwich

2 of 2 verb

1

: to insert between two or more things

2

: to make a place for : crowd

Etymology

Noun

named for John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, died 1792, English diplomat

Word Origin

John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, was famous in 18th century England as a powerful political figure. He was also known to be fond of playing cards. The story was told that he once spent an entire night at the card table. Instead of leaving the game to have dinner, he ordered that slices of meat be brought to him between two pieces of bread. In that way he could continue playing while he ate. This convenient type of food soon became popular throughout England. Because of the story about the Earl, it became known as the sandwich.

Geographical Definition

Sandwich

geographical name

Sand·​wich ˈsan(d)-(ˌ)wich 

town on the Stour River in Kent, southeastern England population 4600