What is the role of “eating” in “I love eating pizza.”?

[Kawkabwaheed]

Greetings:

OK, I understand the role of the different forms of “eat” in the following sentences:

I eat the pizza. (simple present)

I ate the pizza (simple past)

I am eating the pizza. (present continuous)

However, what is the exact grammatical role of “eat” in this sentences:
I love eating pizza. (Here, is “eating” a gerund or something else). A very clear explanation of the grammar involved here would be greatly appreciated.

[Mister Micawber]

Yes, 'eating' is a gerund there.

I -- S
love -- V
eating pizza -- O
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's