shawarma

noun

sha·​war·​ma shä-ˈwȯr-mə How to pronounce shawarma (audio) ˈshwȯr-mə How to pronounce shawarma (audio)
: a sandwich especially of sliced lamb or chicken, vegetables, and often tahini wrapped in pita bread

Examples of shawarma in a Sentence

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.
Imad, from Lebanon, operates back of the house cooking chicken shawarma, gyros, falafel and their delicious house salads. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Oct. 2026 As the train pulls away from the station, Arabic coffee and chocolates are handed out, later followed by a snack box with two shawarma sandwiches, a cake and a bottle of water, all included in the ticket price. — Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026 Behind the grocery aisles, customers will also find a small restaurant serving Middle Eastern specialties like kebabs, shawarma, hummus and rice plates alongside burgers, sandwiches and breakfast items. — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2026 The shawarma here is so good, Free Press readers dubbed it the best among 16 restaurants in our April Shawarma Showdown. — Lyndsay C. Green, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for shawarma

Word History

Etymology

Levantine Arabic shāwurma sliced lamb on a skewer, from Turkish çevirme, literally, turn, rotation, from çevir- turn

First Known Use

1953, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shawarma was in 1953

Rhymes for shawarma

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Browse Nearby Words

Shawangunk Mountains
shawarma
shawfowl
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Cite this Entry

“Shawarma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shawarma. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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