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

Daytime items include lofty scones with a side of clotted cream and seasonal jam, flaky sausage rolls hefty with Beads & Barnett pork, and egg soldiers served with streaky bacon. — The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026

The on-site farm store operates 24 hours a day on the honor system, offering whole chickens, wings, popular bone broth, bacon, sausage, beef, and lamb produced directly on the land. — La'tasha Givens, CBS News, 24 Aug. 2026

In the same pot cook bacon, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 6 minutes. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Aug. 2026

Savory pastries include bacon-egg croissants, spanakopita turnovers and vols-au-vent, which are like birds’ nests of puff pastry stuffed with hearty fillings. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 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