Kebab: meaning, definitions and examples

Commonly found at Middle Eastern and Indian eateries, 'kebab' usually refers to skewered and grilled meat, which can be served either on skewers or in a wrap.

• We had lamb kebabs for dinner.
• The street market was full of vendors selling chicken kebabs.

Often associated with Middle Eastern cuisine, 'shawarma' involves meat that is marinated and cooked on a vertical spit, then shaved off and usually served in a wrap or pita with various toppings.

• Let's get some chicken shawarma from the food truck.
• He prefers beef shawarma because of its rich flavor.

A popular Greek street food, 'gyro' consists of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, usually served in a pita bread with vegetables and tzatziki sauce.

• For lunch, I grabbed a gyro with extra tzatziki sauce.
• The gyros at that Greek restaurant are really authentic.

A traditional Greek dish, 'souvlaki' entails small pieces of meat and sometimes vegetables grilled on a skewer, either served on the skewer, in a pita wrap, or on a plate with accompaniments.

• We enjoyed pork souvlaki with a side of tzatziki.
• Her favorite street food in Greece was the souvlaki.

A general term, especially popular in Middle Eastern cuisine, referring to various types of meat, usually skewered and grilled. Commonly found in street food and casual dining.

• I had a delicious chicken kebab at the local food market
• They sell lamb kebabs at the barbecue stand

A Middle Eastern street food consisting of marinated meat, usually chicken, beef, or lamb, cooked on a vertical rotisserie and typically served in a wrap or pita with various toppings like pickles, garlic sauce, and vegetables.

• After the concert, we stopped by to get a shawarma
• The shawarma at this place has the best garlic sauce I've ever tried

A Greek dish made from meat, usually pork or chicken, cooked on a vertical rotisserie and commonly served in a pita with tomatoes, onions, and tzatziki sauce. It's often eaten as a quick lunch or snack.

• Let's grab a gyro from the new Greek restaurant downtown
• She loves the gyros with extra tzatziki sauce

A Greek dish of small pieces of meat, and sometimes vegetables, grilled on a skewer. It's typically served with pita bread, lemon, and a side of tzatziki. Often enjoyed at barbecues or casual dining settings.

• We had souvlaki for dinner during our Greek vacation
• He ordered pork souvlaki with a side of grilled vegetables