pork

noun

ˈpȯrk 

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

Where to Eat The region’s culinary tradition includes dishes made with Yucatán pork, which comes from a pig that is a mixture of Iberian and local breeds. —April Long, Travel + Leisure, 7 Feb. 2026

Staying in feels special with mushrooms au poivre, coconut-caramel fish, pork tenderloin with agrodolce cherries, or any of these Valentine’s dinner options. —Joe Sevier, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Feb. 2026

Clams, Szechuan pork dumplings, crispy shrimp spring rolls and Hong Kong wonton soup are some of the other Chinese New Year food favorites. —Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

Expect green papaya salad, glass noodle soup, curries, pad see ew and those rich, savory boat noodles with sliced pork. —Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing pork

• pork barrel
• pork belly
• pork rind
• salt pork

Rhymes for pork

• bork
• dork
• fork
• stork
• torque
• pitchfork

Video

Words of the Year: 1066

English was never the same after the Norman Conquest

Kids Definition

pork

noun

ˈpō(ə)rk 

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