pièce de résistance

[ pyes duh rey-zee-stahns; English pee-es duh ri-zee-stahns ]

noun

, French.

, plural pièces de ré·sis·tance [pyes d, uh, , r, ey-zee-, stahns, pee-, es, d, uh, ri-zee-, stahns].

1. the principal dish of a meal.
2. the most noteworthy or prized feature, aspect, event, article, etc., of a series or group; special item or attraction.

pièce de résistance

/ pjɛs də rezistɑ̃s /

noun

1. the principal or most outstanding item in a series or creative artist's work
2. the main dish of a meal

Word History and Origins

Origin of pièce de résistance¹

First recorded in 1780–90; from French: literally, “piece of resistance”; development of senses is unclear

Word History and Origins

Origin of pièce de résistance¹

lit: piece of resistance

Example Sentences

But the piece de resistance was most certainly the bacon jam.

From Salon

He has finally come up with a nickname that is so outrageous that it will go down in political history as his piece de resistance: he's now calling himself "Honest Don."

From Salon

The pieces de resistance included a gleaming Renaissance cape-shawl with silver scallop fringe and woolen coats reinvented with double sleeves, cascading down poetically.

From Seattle Times

In a procession all their own, the group trooped to the village store for the piece de resistance, installing the crown atop the post box out front.

From Seattle Times

It is lovely over a salad, atop avocado toast, or — of course — in Eggs Benedict, arguably the piece de resistance of poached egg dishes.

From Salon