bacon
BAY-kuhn
Bacon (noun) means Cured, often smoked meat cut from the back or belly of a pig, typically sliced thin and fried crisp. Example: “Grandad always buys smoked bacon from the market stall on Saturdays.”
noun
1
Cured, often smoked meat cut from the back or belly of a pig, typically sliced thin and fried crisp.
"They fried the fish with bacon and were astonished, for no fish had ever seemed so delicious before."
— Joanna Pruess, Seduced by Bacon (2006)
"Grandad always buys smoked bacon from the market stall on Saturdays."
"He fried up some bacon and eggs for breakfast."
"The sandwich came with extra crispy bacon on top."
"It is not a crime to enjoy some bacon or a trout or what have you."
— Christopher Paolini, To Walk the Land Alone (2008)
How to use bacon
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSalted, cured pork, usually sliced and cooked until crispy — a breakfast staple in many countries.
Common pairings
crispy bacon
bacon and eggs
bacon strips
bring home the bacon
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Word forms
- Plural
- bacons
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Grandad always buys smoked _____ from the market stall on Saturdays.
Etymology
From Middle English bacoun, borrowed via Anglo-Norman from an Old Low Frankish word for cured pork, ultimately related to the same Germanic root as the English word "back."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for bacon
See all rhymes for bacon →Frequently asked questions
What does “bacon” mean?
The word “bacon” means cured, often smoked meat cut from the back or belly of a pig, typically sliced thin and fried crisp. In plain terms, salted, cured pork, usually sliced and cooked until crispy — a breakfast staple in many countries.
How do you pronounce “bacon”?
“Bacon” is pronounced BAY-kuhn (/ˈbeɪ.kən/ in IPA).
How do you use “bacon” in a sentence?
Here is “bacon” used in a sentence: “He fried up some bacon and eggs for breakfast.”
What is another word for “bacon”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bacon” include ham and pork.
What part of speech is “bacon”?
“Bacon” is a noun.
Where does the word “bacon” come from?
The word “bacon” comes from Middle English. From Middle English bacoun, borrowed via Anglo-Norman from an Old Low Frankish word for cured pork, ultimately related to the same Germanic root as the English word "back.".
Is “bacon” a common word?
“Bacon” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "bacon" and "ham"?
Both come from pork, but bacon is cured meat from the pig's back or belly, usually sliced thin and fried crisp, while ham comes from the hind leg and is often served in thicker slices. Bacon is typically a breakfast food, whereas ham is common in sandwiches and roasts.
What is the difference between British and American bacon?
British back bacon comes mainly from the loin and is leaner, while American streaky bacon comes from the belly and is fattier and crispier. The word "bacon" covers both, but the cut and texture differ.
What are common phrases with "bacon"?
Common collocations include "crispy bacon," "streaky bacon," "back bacon," "smoked bacon," and "bacon and eggs." "Bacon and eggs" is a classic cooked breakfast.
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