pilaf

noun

pi·laf pi-ˈläf

-ˈlȯf;

ˈpē-ˌläf,

-ˌlȯf

variants or less commonly pilaff

pi-ˈläf

-ˈlȯf;

ˈpē-ˌläf,

-ˌlȯf

or pilau

pi-ˈlō -ˈlȯ

ˈpē-(ˌ)lō,

-ˌlȯ;

Southern often ˈpər-(ˌ)lü,

-(ˌ)lō

or pilaw

pi-ˈlō

-ˈlȯ,

ˈpē-(ˌ)lō,

-ˌlȯ;

Southern often ˈpər-(ˌ)lü,

-(ˌ)lō

: a dish made of seasoned rice and often meat

Examples of pilaf in a Sentence

a serving of rice pilaf

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Serve the chicken alongside rice, pilaf, or pasta to round out the meal. — Kelsey Ogletree, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 June 2026 They’re packed with a protein of the buyer’s choice, a grain like pilaf or quinoa, sides, soup, bread and cookies. — Aviva Bechky, Houston Chronicle, 27 Jan. 2026 Shake up your rice routine with this delicious rice-and-noodle pilaf. — Lucinda Scala Quinn, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026 Top meatballs and pilaf with mint leaves (if using) and more pistachios, raisins, and feta. — Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pilaf

Word History

Etymology

Turkish & Persian; Turkish pilav, from Persian pilāv

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of pilaf was in 1609

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

Pila

pilaf

Pilagá

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Pilaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pilaf. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pilaf

noun

pi·laf

variants also pilaff

pi-ˈläf ˈpē-ˌläf

or pilau

pi-ˈlō

-ˈlȯ,

ˈpē-;

Southern often ˈpər-lü,

-lō

: a dish made of seasoned rice and often meat

pilaf

noun

Examples of pilaf in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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pilaf

noun

Examples of pilaf in a Sentence

Word History

Rhymes for pilaf

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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