crackling

noun

crack·​ling

plural cracklings

1

ˈkra-k(ə-)liŋ  : a series of small sharp cracking noises

the crackling of frozen snow as we walk

2

\ ˈkra-​klən , -​kliŋ \

a

: the crisp residue left after the rendering of lard from pig fat or the frying or roasting of pig skin

Want to know how to get perfect crisp crackling on roast pork?

—BBC Good Food

… for me fat is a largely a textural pleasure, … and pork crackling is surely the supreme example of this: a blistered top, as dry and crunchy as an autumn leaf, hiding a layer of yielding, creamy fat beneath.

—Felicity Cloake

also : a piece of this residue

We feasted on … fresh hog cracklings from a road-side trailer north of Houston …

—Peter Richmond

b

: food or a piece of food that resembles crackling

duck cracklings

The great Simon Hopkinson, author of Roast Chicken and Other Stories, gave me—appropriately enough—a bag of chicken crackling as a present, and I pressed him for the recipe.

—Nigella Lawson

Examples of crackling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

However, some observers have reported hearing faint crackling or hissing noises during intense displays. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 15 June 2026

Another commenter claimed the gravy served during Sanders' era differed from today's version, alleging the original recipe included chicken cracklings, seasoned breading, milk and cream. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026

And the only sound was the crackling of the fire intermingled with our childlike giggle fits as the marshmallows filled our mouths. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2026

Bosworth immediately adjusted her jewelry and, yep, the crackling went away. —Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crackling

• tackling

Kids Definition

crackling

noun

crack·​ling

1

ˈkrak-(ə-)liŋ

: a series of small sharp crackling sounds

2

ˈkrak-lən, 

ˈkrak-liŋ

: the crisp remainder left after the fat has been separated from the meat or skin (as of pork)

—usually used in plural