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bologna

1 American  
[buh-loh-nee, -nuh, -lohn-yuh] / bəˈloʊ ni, -nə, -ˈloʊn yə /

noun

  1. a large seasoned sausage made of finely ground meat, usually beef and pork, that has been cooked and smoked.


Bologna 2 American  
[buh-lohn-yuh, baw-law-nyah] / bəˈloʊn yə, bɔˈlɔ nyɑ /

noun

  1. Giovanni da Jean de BoulogneGiambologna, c1525–1608, Italian sculptor, born in France.

  2. a city in N Italy.


Bologna 1 British  
/ boˈloɲɲa, bəˈləʊnjə /

noun

  1. Ancient name: Bononia.  a city in N Italy, at the foot of the Apennines: became a free city in the Middle Ages; university (1088). Pop: 371 217 (2001)

"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

Bologna 2 British  
/ boˈloɲɲa, bəˈləʊnjə /

noun

  1. See Giambologna

"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 bologna

1555–65; after Bologna, Italy

Explanation

Bologna is a sliced sausage often used as lunch meat. If there's "mystery meat" on the menu at school, you'll probably be glad you packed a bologna sandwich. Bologna evolved from mortadella, a pork sausage invented in Bologna, Italy. While bologna is pork-based, it can contain beef, chicken, turkey, or even soy protein. This pale, salty lunch meat is mild in flavor and a favorite with kids who find salami a bit too spicy. The correct pronunciation is "bo-LO-nya," but it's common to say "ba-LO-nee" instead. Experts attribute this to Anglicization, which often leaves Italian words with Y endings — like Italia becoming Italy.

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Vocabulary lists containing bologna

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.

It was so hot that the bologna sandwiches the farmers fed their young workers for lunch toasted in the shade.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2025

In addition to the liverwurst, Boar's Head is recalling ham, bologna, salami, bacon and more products.

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2024

They endured meager meals, consisting frequently of two bologna sandwiches for breakfast and supper, for months on end while prisons were on lockdown and staff sizes reduced.

From Salon • Jan. 18, 2024

Lightlife makes sliced “turkey,” and also plant-based ham and bologna, so you can recreate some of the classic combos.

From Washington Times • Sep. 1, 2023

I sang that my bologna had a first name.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris