canapé

American  

[kan-uh-pee, -pey, ka-na-pey] / ˈkæn ə pi, -ˌpeɪ, ka naˈpeɪ /

noun

plural

canapés

1. a thin piece of bread or toast or a cracker spread or topped with cheese, caviar, anchovies, or other savory food.

2. Furniture. a sofa of 18th-century France, made in any of several forms, often with matching chairs.

3. Bridge. a style of bidding in which short suits are bid before long ones.

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canapé British  

/ -ˌpeɪ, kanape, ˈkænəpɪ /

noun

1. a small piece of bread, toast, etc, spread with a savoury topping

2. (in French cabinetwork) a sofa

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Etymology

Origin of canapé

1885–90; < French: literally, a covering or netting, originally for a bed ( canopy ), by extension for a piece of bread

Example Sentences

Scott: I had to prove I could hand someone a canapé.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2023

Coronation music, including Hubert Parry's anthem I Was Glad will be followed by a champagne and canapé reception in the town's Priory Centre.

From BBC • May 5, 2023

This canapé base is a collard blini, layered with a light and airy chevre black-eyed pea mousse and topped with a brunoise of roasted beet, lemon zest and green apple Pop Rocks.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2020

So an “efficient, affordable and zero-waste” canapé was made from cucumber, tomato, mould microprotein, dried anchovy and indian salad hydroponically grown in Clapham.

From The Guardian • May 15, 2019

A moment later, Dorothy, flinging her short ermine-edged cloak from her shoulders, entered the empty ballroom and threw herself upon the gilded canapé.

From Lorraine A romance by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

Related Words

• bit
• bite
• touch