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

Even Kay's signature pork chops are mentioned by name — a staple Stipsits recalls her grandmother making for her. —Meredith Wilshere, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025

There are plucky steamed chive dumplings with translucent skin, meatball-like shumai teeming with pork, chicken or shrimp, green tea sesame balls (each $1.50 apiece) with Wicked-green dough surrounding sweet black paste. —Benjy Egel, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2025

In addition to ramen and sushi, Kinya Ramen’s entrees range from sweet and sour chicken ($13.95) and honey almond shrimp ($15.95) to Mandarin pork ($13.95) and General Tsao chicken ($13.95). —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Mar. 2025

Another option, Shoyu Ramen, features egg noodles paired with roasted pork, bamboo, bean sprouts, scallions, wood ear mushrooms, and soy sauce tare. —Nasha Smith, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 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

Rhymes for pork

• bork
• dork
• fork
• stork
• torque
• pitchfork

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