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.

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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.

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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)

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Bologna ² British  

/ boˈloɲɲa, bəˈləʊnjə /

noun

1. See Giambologna

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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.

Example Sentences

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