pièce de résistance

American  

[pyes duh rey-zee-stahns, pee-es duh ri-zee-stahns] / pyɛs də reɪ ziˈstɑ̃s, piˈɛs də rɪ ziˈstɑns /

noun

French.

plural

pièces de résistance

1. the principal dish of a meal.

2. the most noteworthy or prized feature, aspect, event, article, etc., of a series or group; special item or attraction.

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pièce de résistance British  

/ pjɛs də rezistɑ̃s /

noun

1. the principal or most outstanding item in a series or creative artist's work

2. the main dish of a meal

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Etymology

Origin of pièce de résistance

First recorded in 1780–90; from French: literally, “piece of resistance”; development of senses is unclear

Example Sentences

But the pièce de résistance is Cousins, his brother and friends in the drive-thru line of a fast food joint joyfully singing Cher’s “Believe” after a win — the antithesis of the sad Zac Efron meme — complete with harmonies.

From Los Angeles Times

The late flip of Dixon-Wyatt proved to be the pièce de résistance Wednesday from general manager Chad Bowden, whose arrival less than a year ago has transformed the Trojans’ recruiting operation.

From Los Angeles Times

The resulting set, in many ways, is the production’s pièce de résistance.

From Los Angeles Times

But the pièce de résistance of her spooky spread?

From Salon

But its pièce de résistance for Roffman was Caselotti herself, who was home that afternoon and happy to entertain strangers with her cherubic singsong cadence.

From Salon