- Main Entry:
- pes·to

- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈpes-(ˌ)tō\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Italian, from pesto, adjective, pounded, from pestare to pound, from Late Latin pistare, frequentative of Latin pinsere
- Date:
- 1937
: a sauce made especially of fresh basil, garlic, oil, pine nuts, and grated cheese