bun

¹

[buhn]

noun

1. any of a wide variety of variously shaped bread rolls, usually leavened and slightly sweetened or plain, sometimes containing spices, dried currants, etc.

2. hair gathered into a round coil or knot at the nape of the neck or on top of the head in certain coiffures.

3. Slang.,  buns, the buttocks.

bun

²

[buhn]

BUN

³

abbreviation

1. blood urea nitrogen: the concentration of nitrogen in the blood in the form of urea, indicating kidney function.

bun

/ bʌn /

noun

1. a small roll, similar to bread but usually containing sweetening, currants, spices, etc

2. any of various types of small round sweet cakes

3. a hairstyle in which long hair is gathered into a bun shape at the back of the head

4. slang,  to be pregnant

Word History and Origins

Origin of bun¹

1325–75; Middle English bunne, possibly of Romance origin; buñuelo ( def. )

Origin of bun²

First recorded in 1900–05; of uncertain origin

Origin of bun³

First recorded in 1915–20

Word History and Origins

Origin of bun¹

C14: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have a bun on, to be intoxicated.

   Everyone at the party seemed to have a bun on.

Example Sentences

The final on Tuesday night saw Jasmine and her fellow finalists faced with the challenge of making a classic British iced finger bun before baking a tower of French delights in the technical.

Read more on BBC

Meyer likes a brioche bun, preferably with sesame seeds: “It’s important that it’s sturdy, but soft enough so teeth glide through.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“This is Meredith,” a voice chirps, before Bezucha cuts from black to a shot of the back of a woman’s head, focusing on her hair that’s been tightly wound into a severe bun.

Read more on Salon

She completed the look with black pointed-toe heels and a slicked-back bun.

Read more on BBC

I like to start my day with an iced morning bun latte from Tartine on Green Street.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bread 
• doughnut 
• muffin 
• pastry 
• scone