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

Grains, beef, and pork are produced domestically, but sourcing them abroad can be less expensive, Chris Barrett, a professor who specializes in agricultural economics at Cornell University, told me. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2025

His food truck’s been rolling since early last year, churning out favorites including chicken wings, pork eggrolls and the thing they’re best known for out in Kansas City: sticky-sweet pork spare ribs. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 5 Feb. 2025

Most restaurants in Toulouse have cassoulet on the menu, a famous regional stew typically consisting of white beans, pork, and duck. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2025

Meanwhile, China has announced retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports, including soybeans, pork, and dairy, which could harm American farmers. —Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025

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