Parmesan

American

[pahr-muh-zahn, -zan, -zuhn, pahr-muh-zahn, -zan] / ˈpɑr məˌzɑn, -ˌzæn, -zən, ˌpɑr məˈzɑn, -ˈzæn /

adjective

of or from Parma, in northern Italy.

noun

Also called Parmesan cheese. (sometimes lowercase) a hard, dry variety of Italian cheese made from skim milk, usually grated and sprinkled over pasta dishes and soups.

Parmesan British

/ ˌpɑːmɪˈzæn, ˈpɑːmɪˌzæn /

adjective

of or relating to Parma or its inhabitants

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

a native or inhabitant of Parma

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of Parmesan

1510–20; < Middle French < Italian parmigiano pertaining to Parma

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Matijevich also makes a white sauce with béchamel and Parmesan cheese.

From Salon

A little pasta water and a shower of Parmesan will turn blended squash, stewed greens, roasted red peppers — even broccoli — into something glossy and luxurious.

From Salon

As for Nice Guy, they have this chicken Parmesan but I’m a weirdo, I eat the chicken Parmesan without the Parmesan.

From Los Angeles Times

Made from a blend of artichokes, spinach, herbs, spices and Swiss and Parmesan cheeses, the dip is best served alongside tortilla chips or toasted slices of fresh baguette.

From Salon

My favorite was a dish that came all the way from the country of Italy—they called it Macaroni a l’Italienne with Fromage de Parmesan.

From Literature

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023