pièce de résistance

[ pyes duhrey-zee-stahns; English pee-esduhri-zee-stahns ]
See synonyms for: pièce de résistancepièces de résistance on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural pièces de ré·sis·tance [pyes duhrey-zee-stahns; English pee-esduhri-zee-stahns]. /pyɛs də reɪ ziˈstɑ̃s; English piˈɛs də rɪ ziˈstɑns/. French.
  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.

Origin of pièce de résistance

1
First recorded in 1780–90; from French: literally, “piece of resistance”; development of senses is unclear

Words Nearby pièce de résistance

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use pièce de résistance in a sentence

  • Fresh mackerel with a package of Saratoga chips was the piece de resistance, but the table did not lack for comforts.

    Boy Scouts in Southern Waters | G. Harvey Ralphson
  • It appeared to be the 'piece de resistance' in the minds of the children.

    Glengarry Schooldays | Ralph Connor
  • Each family is an authority in itself as to the choice of the piece de resistance.

    Mrs. Wilson's Cook Book | Mary A. Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for pièce de résistance

pièce de résistance

/ French (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

Origin of pièce de résistance

1
lit: piece of resistance

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