pizza

noun

piz·​za ˈpēt-sə How to pronounce pizza (audio)
: a dish made typically of flattened bread dough spread with a savory mixture usually including tomatoes and cheese and often other toppings and baked

called also pizza pie

pizzalike
ˈpēt-sə-ˌlīk How to pronounce pizza (audio)
adjective

Examples of pizza in a Sentence

We ordered a pizza for supper. I ordered pizza for supper. a slice of pepperoni pizza
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.
Back in the main hotel building, Il Faro Trattoria has sweeping sea views from its terrace and serves Italian classics including pizza and pasta. — Siobhan Grogan, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026 Tied for second place is Tony's Pizza Napoletana, a San Francisco establishment run by 13-time world pizza champion Tony Gemignani. — Sadie Chafe, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Curry chicken, pizza and empanadas were reportedly among those special meals. — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026 Working on the Emmy-winning Hulu/FX series has been a full-circle moment for the onetime pizza delivery driver (in his hometown of Rochester, New York) whose first tattoo was inspired by his slice-slinging life. — Danielle Directo-Meston, HollywoodReporter, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pizza

Word History

Etymology

Italian, perhaps of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German bizzo, pizzo bite, bit, bīzan to bite — more at bite

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pizza was in 1825

Phrases Containing pizza

Browse Nearby Words

pizz
pizza
pizzaiola
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pizza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pizza. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pizza

noun
piz·​za ˈpēt-sə How to pronounce pizza (audio)
: a dish made typically of thinly rolled bread dough spread with a spiced mixture usually including tomatoes and cheese and often other toppings and baked

called also pizza pie

Etymology

from Italian pizza "pizza"

More from Merriam-Webster on pizza

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pizza

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