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.

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noun

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

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noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Parma

Etymology

Origin of Parmesan

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

Example Sentences

Finish with lemon zest, a squeeze of juice, grated Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil.

From Salon • Apr. 3, 2026

Shipments of Parmesan Reggiano -- its full name -- even rose by 2.3 percent to the United States despite tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

They even have Parmesan cheese and olive oil in the clubhouse, where Pasquantino also gives a bottle of wine to the MVPs of the game.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Matijevich also makes a white sauce with béchamel and Parmesan cheese.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

To this day, no riverside table is complete without a bowl of farofa: crunchy, toasted manioc meal, vaguely resembling grated Parmesan cheese, which Amazonians sprinkle on their food with abandon.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann