# bacon

/ˈbeɪkən/ (US) · /bˈeɪkən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bacon
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. cured pork

noun · CEFR A2

meat from a pig that has been treated with salt and smoke, usually served in thin slices.

For teachers: cured meat from the sides, belly, or back of a pig, typically sliced into strips and fried or grilled.

- We had crispy bacon and eggs for breakfast on Sunday morning.
- The chef insisted on using thick-cut, applewood-smoked bacon to add a savory depth to the traditional club sandwich.

Usage: Usually uncountable when referring to the meat in general, but can be countable in 'rashers of bacon'.

### 2. the police

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal · Vulgar

a rude word for the police.

For teachers: a derogatory slang term for police officers or law enforcement collectively.

- The teenagers ran away as soon as they saw the bacon arriving.
- In certain underground subcultures, 'the bacon' is a common, albeit disrespectful, shorthand for any visible police presence in the neighborhood.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

Teaching tip: This is highly informal and can be offensive; students should understand it when watching films but avoid using it in real-life interactions with authorities.

### 3. meat alternative

noun · CEFR B1

food made from plants or other meat that is made to look and taste like pork bacon.

For teachers: a food product designed to mimic the flavor and texture of pork bacon, often made from turkey or plant-based proteins.

- She prefers turkey bacon because it has less fat than the pork version.
- As veganism grew in popularity, many restaurants began offering plant-based bacon made from marinated tempeh or shiitake mushrooms.

## Examples

- I like to eat crispy bacon with my eggs for breakfast.
- The smell of frying bacon filled the kitchen as the family gathered for Sunday brunch.
- While traditionally associated with breakfast, thick-cut bacon is increasingly used as a premium topping to add a smoky, salty profile to gourmet burgers and salads.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.