Word
pork
US/ˈpɔɹk/
UK/pˈɔːk/
Definitions
01meat from a pig
A2 · Elementary Uncountable noun Cooking
n. the meat from a pig that people eat.
n. the flesh of a pig used as food. Uncountable in its culinary sense.
“We are having roast pork with apples and potatoes for dinner tonight.”
“The chef recommended slow-roasting the pork to ensure the meat remained tender while the skin became perfectly crisp.”
Synonyms
02government spending
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun American English · Informal
n. money spent by a government on local projects to win votes.
n. government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district. Often used in the phrase 'pork barrel politics'.
“The new bridge was criticized as a piece of political pork.”
“Critics argued that the bill was loaded with unnecessary pork designed to secure the senator's reelection in the upcoming primary.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the spending itself.
Synonyms
03to have sex
C2 · Proficiency Slang · Vulgar
v. a very rude way to say having sex with someone.
v. to engage in sexual intercourse with someone. Transitive and highly informal.
“He made a crude joke about porking someone he met at the bar.”
“The film relied heavily on low-brow humor, featuring several characters who spoke exclusively in vulgarities about porking their classmates.”
Teaching tip
This is a crude, male-centric term; learners should avoid using it as it is likely to cause offense in most social settings.
Real-World Examples
“Gao Xianghua is a happy mom this year because she knows her teenage kids will eagerly finish the pork belly she is braising for the Lunar New Year feast.” “Sales of pork mince at Waitrose are up 16% on last year, as home cooks adapt favourite recipes, such as spaghetti bolognese or nachos.” “With a higher myoglobin content than chicken and fish, pork is generally classified as a red meat.” “Pork is China's favourite meat: last year the country produced 50m tonnes – more than half the world's total – and as the disposable incomes of China's 1.3 billion people rise, their appetite is growing.” Etymology
From Middle English pork, porc, via Anglo-Norman, from Old French porc (“swine, hog, pig; pork”), from Latin porcus (“domestic hog, pig”). Cognate with Old English fearh (“piglet”). Doublet of farrow. Compare also other West Germanic words for pigs: Ferkel, Ferke, and varken. Used in English since the 14th century, and as a term of abuse since the 17th century. US politics sense is related to pork barrel.
Blend of pin + fork.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · Elementary
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/pork