bacon

noun

ba·​con ˈbā-kən 

sometimes -kᵊŋ

1

a

: a side of a pig cured and smoked

also : the thin strips cut from bacon

b

: thin strips of meat other than pork that is cured and smoked

turkey bacon

2

: money

specifically : money gained through employment or legislation

—usually used in the phrase bring home the bacon

Examples of bacon in a Sentence

We ate bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Recent Examples on the Web

Try them in everything from date cookies and shakes to sandwiches such as a bacon date melt—and even a date ale. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 23 Feb. 2026

Finish with shredded cheese, crispy bacon, diced ham, shredded chicken, or crispy pancetta to bulk it up to a main course. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2026

There’s a pork and applesauce take of moist roasted pork loin served with sauce made with apple butter, on a bed of buttery pureed potatoes and green beans with tiny pieces of strip bacon ($28). —Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 20 Feb. 2026

While she’s gotten some nice pub for making cookies for her upstart J's Rollin in Dough business over the last couple of weeks, Carlton saved her team’s bacon with a 3-pointer from the wing with 3 minutes and 54 seconds left to extend the lead to 56-50. —Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German bahho side of bacon, bah back — more at back

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing bacon

• back bacon
• bring home the bacon
• Canadian bacon
• save someone's bacon/hide/neck/skin

Rhymes for bacon

• shaken
• taken
• takin
• waken
• awaken
• betaken
• forsaken
• mistaken
• partaken
• retaken
• unshaken
• godforsaken

Kids Definition

bacon

noun

ba·​con ˈbā-kən 

1

: salted and smoked meat from the sides and the back of a pig

2

: money gained through employment or legislation

bring home the bacon

Biographical Definition

Bacon 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

Ba·​con ˈbā-kən 

Francis 1561–1626 1st Baron Verulam ˈver-(y)ə-ləm  Viscount St. Albans sānt-ˈȯl-bənz 

sənt-

English philosopher

Bacon

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

Francis 1909–1992 British (Irish-born) painter

Bacon

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

Nathaniel 1647–1676 American colonial leader

Bacon

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Roger circa 1220–1292 English philosopher and scientist