bacon

noun

ba·​con ˈbā-kən How to pronounce bacon (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Delish is running a bacon-egg-cheese biscuit casserole and a savory oatmeal built on bacon, mushrooms and cheddar. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 Delish recommends a Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Casserole plus a savory oatmeal built with bacon, baby bella mushrooms, red bell pepper, oats, cheddar, green onions and eggs. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 Quick-cooking chicken cutlets come together with red wine, mushrooms, and bacon for a rich, comforting meal. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026 The dish features sweet and savory thick-cut bacon suspended from a miniature clothesline. — Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bacon

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of bacon was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing bacon

Rhymes for bacon

See All Rhymes for bacon

Browse Nearby Words

Bacolod
bacon
Bacon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bacon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bacon. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

bacon

noun
ba·​con ˈbā-kən How to pronounce bacon (audio)
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 How to pronounce Bacon (audio)
Francis 1561–1626 1st Baron Verulam ˈver-(y)ə-ləm How to pronounce Bacon (audio) Viscount St. Albans sānt-ˈȯl-bənz How to pronounce Bacon (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on bacon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bacon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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