panini

noun

pa·​ni·​ni pə-ˈnē-nē How to pronounce panini (audio)
variants or less commonly panino
plural panini or paninis
: a usually grilled sandwich made with Italian bread

Note: Panini is a plural form in Italian but is commonly used as both a singular and a plural in English. Its use as a singular has given rise the variant plural form paninis. The use of panino as a singular form in English has become relatively uncommon as panini has become established as the usual singular.

On each visit, someone at our table invariably orders a paniniJodi Wright
At the back of the shop are paninis, freshly brewed coffee and two tubs of homemade soups.M. H. Reed

Examples of panini in a Sentence

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.
Cuisinart: Best-selling appliances, including coffee makers and panini presses, are up to 30 percent off through Sunday, July 13. Averi Baudler, People.com, 8 July 2025 Other sandwich options, as seen written on a chalkboard outside, include a breakfast option with eggs, bacon and cheese; a B.L.T.; a Caprese panini; and one loaded with vegetables, such as tomato, spinach, pickled red onion, cucumber and hummus. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 The food portion of the menu will feature salads, paninis and tramezzini (Italian triangular sandwiches) as well as a pasta of the month. Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025 Additional products made with the recalled cucumbers, including subs, wraps, paninis, and salsa, have been pulled. Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for panini

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of pane bread, from Latin panis — more at food

First Known Use

1955, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of panini was in 1955

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Cite this Entry

“Panini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panini. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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