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Parmesan

American  
[pahr-muh-zahn, -zan, -zuhn, pahr-muh-zahn, -zan] / ˈpɑr məˌzɑn, -ˌzæn, -zən, ˌpɑr məˈzɑn, -ˈzæn /

adjective

  1. of or from Parma, in northern Italy.


noun

Parmesans plural
  1. Also called Parmesan cheese(sometimes lowercase) a hard, dry variety of Italian cheese made from skim milk, usually grated and sprinkled over pasta dishes and soups.

Parmesan British  
/ ˌpɑːmɪˈzæn, ˈpɑːmɪˌzæn /

adjective

  1. of or relating to Parma or its inhabitants

"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

noun

  1. a native or inhabitant of Parma

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of Parmesan

1510–20; < Middle French < Italian parmigiano pertaining to Parma

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.

See Examples For:

I missed genuine Italian markets — the kind where they carve a slab of Parmesan out of a freshly cut wheel and offer you a piece to taste.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 24, 2026

In a large bowl, combine the broken Ritz crackers, Parmesan, fennel seed, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and red pepper flakes, if using.

From Salon Jul. 14, 2026

Seawater is seeping into Italy's longest river as the waterway starts to run dry in the heatwave, hitting a farming heartland that produces the milk for Parmesan cheese.

From Barron's Jun. 27, 2026

Blackstone Products of Providence, Utah is recalling certain lots of Blackstone Parmesan Ranch seasoning products, according to a U.S.

From Los Angeles Times May 27, 2026

My favorite was a dish that came all the way from the country of Italy—they called it Macaroni a l’Italienne with Fromage de Parmesan.

From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan

I much prefer Parmigiana Reggiano with flaky, crystalized granules to the damp American or Argentinian Parmesans.

From Salon Apr. 2, 2023

There are non-rennet Parmesans out there, but they may not be available at all grocery stores.

From Salon Jul. 31, 2022

Abdullah encourages the curious, especially those who appreciate aged or mature cheddars and Parmesans, to give blue cheese another chance.

From Washington Post Sep. 8, 2021

One might almost believe, hearing the Parmesans talk, that his manner had infected their dialect, and that they fashioned their lazy, incomplete utterance with the careless lips of his nymphs and angels.

From Italian Journeys by Howells, William Dean

Before the close of 1268 Pallavicino died, broken with age and in utter misery, while besieged in his castle of Gusaliggio by the Piacenzans and Parmesans.

From A History of The Inquisition of The Middle Ages; volume II by Lea, Henry Charles

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