plural delis
: a store or department of 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
Jay McInerneySixth Avenue in midtown was once lined with convenient, low-priced delis, cafeterias, coffee shops, and the like.—Brendan Gill
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
Norman Kolpas … a neat, orderly, well-lighted place so clean you could eat deli off the floor … —Jack Fincher
—often used before another noun Jack Fincher 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
Shoppers can buy groceries from the deli and bakery as well as electronics, clothing, household goods and other bulk products.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Dia's Market This specialty market that opened in 2016 selling groceries, wine and beer, also has a deli that serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Restaurants, diners, delis, cafes, bars and coffee spots have long been considered third places — along with libraries and even laundromats.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Amira Aminova had just bought some chocolate at a deli and was trying to cross Bath and 23rd Aves.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deli
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Feb. 2026
Dia's Market This specialty market that opened in 2016 selling groceries, wine and beer, also has a deli that serves breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 10 Feb. 2026
Restaurants, diners, delis, cafes, bars and coffee spots have long been considered third places — along with libraries and even laundromats.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
Amira Aminova had just bought some chocolate at a deli and was trying to cross Bath and 23rd Aves.
—Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deli
Cite this Entry
“Deli.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deli. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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