nugget

noun

nug·​get ˈnə-gət 

1

: a solid lump

especially : a native lump of precious metal

2

: tidbit sense 2

nuggets of wisdom

3

: a small usually rounded piece of food

chicken nuggets

Synonyms

• mouthful
• bite
• taste
• nibble

Examples of nugget in a Sentence

nuggets of beef in the chow mein

a seemingly inconsequential nugget of information that proved to be the key to cracking the case

Recent Examples on the Web

Your go-to hamburger or hot dog buns are also likely UPFs, along with meats including frozen meatballs, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and most sausages. —Andrea Margolis , Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The sessions, with coaches and players, can reveal nuggets that can be used during the broadcast. —Andrew Marchand, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025

Starting September 3, customers can order McDonald’s version of the tangy sauce on the side of their nuggets or fries or on a few new menu items. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2025

No matter your price point or your stone preference, there’s sure to be a piece that will compliment with your sporty-chic, tennis-watching, Honey-Deuce-drinking, Coqodaq-caviar-chicken-nugget-tasting, US Open look! —Samantha Solomon, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

origin unknown

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nugget

noun

nug·​get ˈnəg-ət 

: a solid lump especially of precious metal