1
: the fresh or salted flesh of swine when dressed for food
2
: government funds, jobs, or favors distributed by politicians to gain political advantage

Examples of pork in a Sentence

We need to cut the pork out of the federal budget.
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.
Frying is an art, perhaps plied nowhere with such efficiency and aplomb as at this lively lunch counter, where the very air seems to crackle and the scent of pork incites the blood. Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026 Riding high on the nation’s collective lust for pork pie hats, straw boaters and fedoras, the retailer Adam Hats stages the first live TV commercial three days after the inaugural Bulova buy. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 11 May 2026 Then there are the Riblets, expertly cut from tender pork, slow-cooked, and doused in Honey BBQ, Hot Honey Glaze, or Sweet Asian Chile sauce. Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 11 May 2026 Making these pork ribs for lots of people is a fail-safe way to impress. ABC News, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pork

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French porc pig, from Latin porcus — more at farrow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pork was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pork. Accessed 15 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

pork

noun
ˈpō(ə)rk How to pronounce pork (audio)
ˈpȯ(ə)rk
1
: the flesh of a pig used for food
2
: government funds, jobs, or favors distributed by politicians to gain political advantage
Etymology

Middle English pork "meat from a pig," from early French porc "pig," from Latin porcus "pig" — related to porcupine, porpoise see Word History at porpoise

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