focaccia

American  

[foh-kah-chuh] / foʊˈkɑ tʃə /

noun

focaccias plural

1. a large, round, flat Italian bread, sprinkled before baking with olive oil, salt, and often herbs.

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focaccia British  

/ fəˈkætʃə /

noun

1. a flat Italian bread made with olive oil and yeast

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Etymology

Origin of focaccia

1975–80; < Italian < Late Latin focacia (neuter plural), derivative of Latin focus hearth, perhaps with -āceus -aceous

Explanation

Focaccia is an Italian flatbread that's similar to pizza crust. You can eat focaccia on its own, or use it to make an especially delicious sandwich. Focaccia is an Italian word that comes from its ancient Roman version, panis focacius, or "hearth bread." The Latin root is focus, "hearth or place for baking." If you're trying focaccia for the first time, you'll notice its similarity to brick oven pizza without the toppings. Focaccia also tends to be a bit thicker and chewier than pizza crust, because it gets an extra rise before it's baked.

Example Sentences

Dishes included ramp-pesto focaccia, trout crudo with pickled ramps and farfalle topped with ramp crema.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

In 2020, the company rolled out rosemary focaccia, which remains on the menu.

From Barron's • Feb. 24, 2026

Matijevich recommends enjoying bowls of clam chowder with your favorite crusty bread, like focaccia or toasted slices of baguette.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2026

At Indio Central Market, Italian deli All’Antico Vinaio is offering its signature focaccia sandwiches, including the festival-exclusive La Coachella with prosciutto, stracciatella, sun-dried tomato and basil.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2025

She makes pasta, crudités, focaccia, frittata and baked fish, and along with advice on how to make guests feel extra special, she shows viewers how to arrange flowers and make DIY bath salts.

From BBC • Mar. 7, 2025