porridge

noun

por·​ridge ˈpȯr-ij How to pronounce porridge (audio)
ˈpär-
: a soft food made by boiling meal of grains or legumes in milk or water until thick
porridgy
ˈpȯr-i-jē How to pronounce porridge (audio)
ˈpär-
adjective

Examples of porridge in a Sentence

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.
The blueberry jam would have been better on some yogurt or in porridge. — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 17 Apr. 2026 After emerging from the cave, the first thing Mee ate was congee, a savory Asian rice porridge. — Kocha Olarn, CNN Money, 31 May 2026 The nose shows classic pot-still grain aromas of warm porridge, malt biscuit, and cereal sweetness, wrapped in vanilla and bourbon-cask oak. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 Perhaps the homeliest dish is Karlsson’s ‘genius’ oatmeal porridge. — Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for porridge

Word History

Etymology

alteration of pottage

Note: The sound change is peculiar. Perhaps there was some anticipatory voicing of -tt- and the resultant voiced stop was taken as a rhotic tap. Compare the same change in porringer.

First Known Use

circa 1643, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of porridge was circa 1643

Rhymes for porridge

See All Rhymes for porridge

Browse Nearby Words

porret
porridge
porridgy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Porridge.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/porridge. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

porridge

noun
por·​ridge ˈpȯr-ij How to pronounce porridge (audio)
ˈpär-
: a soft food made by boiling meal or a vegetable in milk or water until it thickens

More from Merriam-Webster on porridge

Nglish: Translation of porridge for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about porridge

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