pesto

noun

pes·​to ˈpe-(ˌ)stō 

: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese

Examples of pesto in a Sentence

Top the bread with pesto.

Recent Examples on the Web

The menu features handmade pasta alongside mains like trout finished with nutty brown butter and tomato pesto. — Nikkita Nair, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026

Anna Frizzell and Seth Dolinsky run Rare Herb Farm & Provisions, growing culinary herbs and turning them into dips and spreads such as lovage tahini and basil chive pesto. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026

Italian basil is an essential ingredient in recipes such as pesto, Caprese salad, tomato sauces, pasta dishes, pizza, soups, and salads. — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2026

Unique pies include spicy curry with pesto, curry seasoning, feta and fresh vegetables. — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from pesto, adjective, pounded, from pestare to pound, from Late Latin pistare, frequentative of Latin pinsere

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pesto

noun

pes·​to ˈpes-tō 

: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese