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

The hearty pork sausages can be paired with fluffy mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, and a pint of beer for a tasty dinner. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 27 Feb. 2026

The same district offering pull-apart donut holes and pork sausage for school breakfasts is tossing in the towel on teachers’ waistlines. —Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026

Also, my wife is a vegetarian, and a lot of the more authentic places, there’s pork in the air. —Eric Ducker, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026

Raw pork was stored on top of a shelf of plantain in the two-door freezer. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado, Sacbee.com, 27 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