Italian bread always contains flour and water; usually contains yeast; often contains sugar, salt, and olive oil; may contain cheese, herbs, seeds.
A yeast raised bread, common Italian bread is very similar to common French bread, with the exception of its shape, which is shorter and plumper. Often very plain, Italian bread is commonly made with little to no salt, sometimes topped with sesame seed, often baked with steam, usually with a crisp crust.
Some Italian specialty breads:
Focaccia: An Italian flatbread brushed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt, and often rosemary
Ciabatta: oval-shaped Italian loaf with a slightly sour flavor and large holes in the crumb
Italian variations on the English word "bread" are "Pan" and "Pane".