bun

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈbən 

1

: a sweet or plain small bread

especially : a round roll

2

: a knot of hair shaped like a bun

3

buns plural : buttocks

bun

2 of 2

noun (2)

: load sense 4

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• backside
• behind
• booty [slang]
• bootie
• bottom
• breech
• bum
• butt
• buttocks
• caboose
• can
• cheeks
• derriere
• derrière
• duff
• fanny
• fundament
• hams
• haunches
• heinie [slang]
• hunkers
• keister [slang]
• keester
• nates
• posterior
• rear
• rear end
• rump
• seat
• tail
• tail end
• tush [slang]

Examples of bun in a Sentence

Noun (1)

an exercise to firm your buns

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Lunch is served at 11 a.m. and inmates can choose between a chicken patty sandwich and a chickpea burger, steamed rice, pinto beans, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, hamburger bun, fruit and a beverage. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 10 Feb. 2025

For the occasion, the other women had put her hair in a bun and used a ballpoint pen for eyeliner. —Lawrence Wright, The New Yorker, 10 Feb. 2025

Nyong’o wore her hair in a sleek low bun and accessorized with De Beers jewelry. —Ada Tseng, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025

For something more casual, swing by Funk, a trendy hangout spot serving a rotating menu of pastries—from saffron buns to pistachio cruffins—alongside daily soups and Scandi-inspired smoked fish sandwiches. —Talia Abbas, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English bunne

Noun (2)

perhaps from bun entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1898, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bun

• have a bun in the oven
• sticky bun

Kids Definition

bun

noun

ˈbən

1

: a sweet or plain small bread

especially : a round roll

2

: a knot of hair shaped like a bun

Medical Definition

BUN

noun

ˌbē-ˌyü-ˈen 

: the concentration of nitrogen in the form of urea in the blood