nugget

noun

nug·​get ˈnə-gət 

1

: a solid lump

especially : a native lump of precious metal

2

: tidbit sense 2

nuggets of wisdom

3

: a small usually rounded piece of food

chicken nuggets

Synonyms

• bite
• morsel
• mouthful
• nibble
• taste
• tidbit
• titbit

Examples of nugget in a Sentence

nuggets of beef in the chow mein

a seemingly inconsequential nugget of information that proved to be the key to cracking the case

Recent Examples on the Web

Employees discarded chicken nuggets, chicken wings and fries that were at unsafe temperatures. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2025

Here’s a mostly complete list of what my children, ages 5 and 7, eat for dinner: Plain pasta (spaghetti and farfalle only), rice and beans (any kind but lima), chicken (roasted thighs, nuggets), salmon, avocado rolls, hot dogs, pizza, slices of steak. —Emily Weinstein, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025

Inglis is another golden nugget, designed and shaped in Leeds, but now a valuable Australian mineral. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

Options available in the deal include their spicy chicken sandwich, classic chicken sandwich, Dave’s single cheeseburger, and 10-piece chicken nuggets. —Toria Sheffield, People.com, 22 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nugget

noun

nug·​get ˈnəg-ət 

: a solid lump especially of precious metal