pesto

noun

pes·​to ˈpe-(ˌ)stō How to pronounce pesto (audio)
: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese

Examples of pesto in a Sentence

Top the bread with pesto.
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.
Its Tie-Dye pizza, made with tomato, vodka and pesto sauces, nods to both Italian American heritage and modern experimentation. Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Oct. 2025 Or opt for two spreads—regular mayonnaise on one slice of bread and mashed avocado, pesto, or hummus on the other. Sarah Garone, Health, 17 Oct. 2025 Highlighting flavors of Appalachia, its menu includes peanut soup, black walnut pesto, watermelon salad, and pickle ice cream. Pat Tompkins, AFAR Media, 9 Oct. 2025 Both of the kids tried pesto for the first time and absolutely loved it. Jasmine Purdie, Parents, 8 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pesto

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from pesto, adjective, pounded, from pestare to pound, from Late Latin pistare, frequentative of Latin pinsere

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pesto was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pesto.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pesto. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

pesto

noun
pes·​to ˈpes-tō How to pronounce pesto (audio)
: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese

More from Merriam-Webster on pesto

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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