'antipasto' originates from Italian, specifically the word 'antipasto', where 'anti-' meant 'before' and 'pasto' meant 'meal'.

'antipasto' was formed in Italian from elements ultimately from Latin (compare Latin 'ante' meaning 'before' and 'pascere/pastus' related to feeding). The term entered English as a culinary loanword from Italian in the late 19th to early 20th century.

Initially it meant 'before the meal' (a course preceding the main meal); over time the meaning has remained largely the same but in English it commonly refers specifically to Italian-style starters or an assortment served before the main course.