bacon

noun

ba·​con ˈbā-kən 

sometimes -kᵊŋ

1

a

: a side of a pig cured and smoked

also : the thin strips cut from bacon

b

: thin strips of meat other than pork that is cured and smoked

turkey bacon

2

: money

specifically : money gained through employment or legislation

—usually used in the phrase bring home the bacon

Examples of bacon in a Sentence

We ate bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Also on the calendar this month is a preview of a new restaurant coming to Midtown, a drag brunch celebrating Atlanta Pride and a conversation about bacon. — Olivia Wakim, AJC.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Among the props are claymation red pepper and bacon with armature arms, olive barbells, frozen food boxes, and desserts. — Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026

At Mildred’s, fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, melted cheese and a generous spread of Dijon-mayo sauce in between two pieces of toast make for a texturally-balanced bite and the antidote to my Sunday scaries. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 30 Sep. 2026

Unlike the traditional baked dish of littlenecks stuffed with bacon and breadcrumbs, Jimmy’s version comes as a bowl of thumbnail-sized Manila clams tossed with guanciale, compound butter and breadcrumbs. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German bahho side of bacon, bah back — more at back

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bacon

• back bacon
• bring home the bacon
• Canadian bacon
• save someone's bacon/hide/neck/skin

Rhymes for bacon

• shaken
• taken
• takin
• waken
• awaken
• betaken
• forsaken
• mistaken
• partaken
• retaken
• unshaken
• godforsaken

Kids Definition

bacon

noun

ba·​con ˈbā-kən 

1

: salted and smoked meat from the sides and the back of a pig

2

: money gained through employment or legislation

bring home the bacon

Biographical Definition

Bacon 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

Ba·​con ˈbā-kən 

Francis 1561–1626 1st Baron Verulam ˈver-(y)ə-ləm  Viscount St. Albans sānt-ˈȯl-bənz 

sənt-

English philosopher

Bacon

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

Francis 1909–1992 British (Irish-born) painter

Bacon

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Nathaniel 1647–1676 American colonial leader

Bacon

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Roger circa 1220–1292 English philosopher and scientist