sandwich

¹ American  

[sand-wich, san-] / ˈsænd wɪtʃ, ˈsæn- /

noun

1. two or more slices of bread with a layer of meat, fish, cheese, etc., between them.

   a tuna sandwich.

2. a partially slit bread roll, pita, etc., with a filling.

   a falafel sandwich.

3. open sandwich.

4. something resembling or suggesting a sandwich, as something in horizontal layers.

   a plywood sandwich.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put into a sandwich.

2. to insert between two other things.

   to sandwich a personal appointment between two business meetings.

Sandwich ² American  

[sand-wich, san-] / ˈsænd wɪtʃ, ˈsæn- /

noun

1. a town in E Kent, in SE England: one of the Cinque Ports.

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sandwich British  

/ ˈsænwɪdʒ, -wɪtʃ /

noun

1. two or more slices of bread, usually buttered, with a filling of meat, cheese, etc

2. anything that resembles a sandwich in arrangement

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verb

1. to insert tightly between two other things

2. to put into a sandwich

3. to place between two dissimilar things

Etymology

Origin of sandwich

First recorded in 1755–65; named after the fourth Earl of Sandwich (1718–92)

Explanation

A sandwich is a meal in the form of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese, or some other filling between them. Your favorite lunch might be a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. When you put something between slices of bread, it's a sandwich. It's named for the Fourth Earl of Sandwich who's credited with inventing it. Sandwich is a verb too, that describes putting something between two other things, like sandwiching gym class between math and lunch. Sometimes sandwich involves being squeezed uncomfortably, like having to sandwich yourself between people on a crowded elevator or subway car.

Example Sentences

Another potential hitch could come from family members — especially if you are in the sandwich generation, between children and aging parents who might need financial assistance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

Jersey Mike’s has more than 3,200 locations and is the second-largest U.S. sub-style sandwich company by sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

We’re driving to Larchmont and we’re getting a sandwich at Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

"We won't be able to buy a sandwich at the airport for that, and we're going to be stuck here until we can fly tomorrow," she added.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

It was almost time for the bell, so I tucked my sandwich container into my backpack.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows