pork

noun

ˈpȯrk 

1

: the fresh or salted flesh of swine when dressed for food

2

: government funds, jobs, or favors distributed by politicians to gain political advantage

Examples of pork in a Sentence

We need to cut the pork out of the federal budget.

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, in recent years, China has drawn from its strategic pork reserves and Canada has released stores of maple syrup amid shortages. —Hanna Ziady, CNN, 18 Dec. 2024

Canada has the world's only strategic reserve of maple syrup, while China has strategic reserves of metals, grains and even pork products. —Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss and Lisa Pauline Mattackal, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024

The classic version is usually made with multiple meats—pork, ham, chicken, sausage, even duck are common—and some vegetables and beans for flavor and good measure. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 15 Dec. 2024

While Italy’s Catholics were content to feast on pork prosciutto, sausages and salami through the winter, Jews and Muslims raised geese for the same purpose—so much so that the goose became inextricably linked to Italy’s Jewish cuisine. —John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French porc pig, from Latin porcus — more at farrow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pork

• pork barrel
• pork belly
• pork rind
• salt pork

Video

Words of the Year: 1066

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

Kids Definition

pork

noun

ˈpō(ə)rk 

ˈpȯ(ə)rk

1

: the flesh of a pig used for food

2

: government funds, jobs, or favors distributed by politicians to gain political advantage

Etymology

Middle English pork "meat from a pig," from early French porc "pig," from Latin porcus "pig" — related to porcupine, porpoise see Word History at porpoise