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Synonyms

pièce de résistance

American  
[pyes duh rey-zee-stahns, pee-es duh ri-zee-stahns] / pyɛs də reɪ ziˈstɑ̃s, piˈɛs də rɪ ziˈstɑns /

noun

French.

plural

pièces de résistance
  1. the principal dish of a meal.

  2. the most noteworthy or prized feature, aspect, event, article, etc., of a series or group; special item or attraction.


pièce de résistance British  
/ pjɛs də rezistɑ̃s /

noun

  1. the principal or most outstanding item in a series or creative artist's work

  2. the main dish of a meal

"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 pièce de résistance

First recorded in 1780–90; from French: literally, “piece of resistance”; development of senses is unclear

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.

Its pièce de résistance is its very own AI model, called the Large Nature Model.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2024

As the pièce de résistance, she harnessed herself to a Chevy Silverado — which itself was attached to a food truck trailer — and dragged it 40 feet in 40 seconds.

From Salon • Jul. 15, 2024

If you want to buy a Birkin bag, the pièce de résistance from the French luxury retailer Hermès, you should know that you probably can’t.

From New York Times • Mar. 21, 2024

Then came the Belmont, his pièce de résistance.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 10, 2023

But this "illigant divarsion" was only a sort of hors d'œuvres to the pièce de résistance, "Supply—Irish Votes," which was as strong and savoury as the National Stew itself.

From Punch, or the London Charivari. Volume 93, September 10, 1887 by Various