plural delis
: a store where ready-to-eat food products (such as cooked meats and prepared salads) are sold : delicatessen
You shuffle off to the deli and pick up a pastrami-on-rye and an egg cream. The bald man behind the counter whistles cheerfully as he slices the meat.Jay McInerney
Sixth Avenue in midtown was once lined with convenient, low-priced delis, cafeterias, coffee shops, and the like.Brendan Gill
also : the food sold at a delicatessen
If you're hungry for deli in Miami, only the Rascal House will do. Norman Kolpas
… a neat, orderly, well-lighted place so clean you could eat deli off the floor … Jack Fincher
often used before another noun
deli meats/platters
waiting in line at the deli counter

Examples of deli in a Sentence

We bought sandwiches and drinks at the deli.
Recent Examples on the Web Then, the actors' iconic (and slightly NSFW) scene — in which Sally (played by Ryan) loudly fakes an orgasm in a deli booth to prove a point to Harry (played by Crystal) — begins as Diana is wedged in between them, Crystal recalled. Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 This recall comes months after Boar's Head recalled its deli meats for the same concerns. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 21 Oct. 2024 What are the chances of getting listeria from deli meat? Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2024 This recall follows a deadly listeria outbreak connected to recalled Boar’s Head deli meat that is the nation’s largest in more than a decade. Katherine Dillinger, CNN, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deli 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deli.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deli was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near deli

Cite this Entry

“Deli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deli. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

deli

noun
plural delis
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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