mortadella

American  

[mawr-tuh-del-uh] / ˌmɔr təˈdɛl ə /

noun

1. a large Italian sausage of pork, beef, and pork fat chopped fine, seasoned with garlic and pepper, cooked, and smoked.

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Etymology

Origin of mortadella

1605–15; < Italian < Latin murtāt ( um ) sausage seasoned with myrtle ( murt ( um ) myrtle-berry + -ātum, neuter of -ātus -ate ¹ ) + -ella diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Roast turkey and mortadella, vegan salami and imitation tuna salad.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

Sandwiches, including its popular mortadella, are assembled on housemade focaccia.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 21, 2023

Favorite grinder meats in our house include sopresetta, ham, prosciutto, mortadella and various types of salami.

From Washington Times • Sep. 21, 2023

Traditionally, a muffaletta has Genoa salami, ham and/or mortadella, an Italian luncheon meat made from pork sausage.

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2023

One of these the Senator visited, note-book in hand, and was shown with great alacrity every variety of mortadella, from delicacies the size of a finger to mottled conceptions as thick as a small barrel.

From A Voyage of Consolation (being in the nature of a sequel to the experiences of 'An American girl in London') by Duncan, Sara Jeannette