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.
The highlight of the trip last year was meeting my friend Hal for pizza after the morning skate. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 There are nearly a dozen specialty pizzas to choose from, with the spicy Gold Medal, featuring Italian banana peppers and sweet red bell peppers, an award winner. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 18 Aug. 2026 Meals such as buffalo chicken mac and cheese, cheeseburger bowls, Cajun chicken pasta, pancakes, pizza bowls and even chicken nuggets are ensured to be nutritious and healthy, Schuler said. — Shannon Tyler, Idaho Statesman, 17 Aug. 2026 The eponymous mouse behind the pizza-and-arcade-games empire has been a household name for decades. — Dallas Morning News, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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

Nglish: Translation of pizza for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pizza

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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