pork

noun

ˈpȯrk How to pronounce pork (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Raichlen’s career, in a way, is similar in that he’s never been stuck in the lane of writing about barbecuing only brisket and pork. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2026 The pork chop costs the chain only about 40% of what the sirloin costs, so every customer who chooses pork instead of steak helps reduce Golden Corral's overall food costs. — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 23 Oct. 2026 Patrons return regularly to feast on distinct dishes like steak tartare pizza, bone-in pork chop, and roasted duck in the Western, log-cabin-esque dining room with a deep sense of place. — Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026 The meat ranges from Japanese wagyu to beef cheeks, bone-in New York strip and pork sausage. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pork

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pork was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing pork

Rhymes for pork

See All Rhymes for pork

Browse Nearby Words

poritoid
pork
pork barrel
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pork. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pork

noun
ˈpō(ə)rk How to pronounce pork (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on pork

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pork

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