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

Lately, however, one of the state’s most recognizable brands of the pork product, Neese’s Country Sausage, has quietly disappeared off store shelves. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 4 Dec. 2025

Macron is expected to lobby the Chinese leader to not impose similar measures on French pork and dairy products, Bloomberg reported Wednesday, as Beijing has weighed those duties in response to the levies on EVs. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025

Several museums here shed further light on its significance, and don’t miss the chance to sample one of Eley’s famous pork pies. —James March, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Place it on the stovetop to steam fish, shallow-fry chicken cutlets, and sauté winter vegetables, or toss it in the oven to roast a pork tenderloin or bake fruit cobbler. —Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025

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