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.
Savory, nutty Gruyère cheese is a perfect complement to the soft sweetness of the maple butter slathered onto the slices of bread before the whole thing hits the panini press. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 28 May 2026 Soups, salads and panini sandwiches are also available. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 28 May 2026 The middle can feel like a panini press—pressure and heat from both sides, all at once. Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 May 2026 Order a panini sandwich to go at Stella & Me Café for the perfect winery picnic. Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 20 May 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Panini.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/panini. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.

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