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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Take advantage of the many activities on hand — including horseback riding, foraging, cooking classes, e-bike riding, and tennis — or hang by the pool with a panini and a drink by your side. Peter Terzian, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2024 Food options include paninis, crepes, charcuterie boards, bruschetta and shareable plates like hummus and pita and French onion meatballs. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024 Find it on Amazon This Grill Machine for Sandwich Lovers Indulge in gourmet sandwiches and crispy paninis with this grill machine that comes in the most stunning aqua design. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 20 Sep. 2024 The food menu includes breakfast burritos, avocado toast, breakfast sandwiches, hot soups, paninis and baked goods. Details: 1912 W. Northern Ave., Phoenix. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near panini

Cite this Entry

“Panini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panini. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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