bun
noun
any of a wide variety of variously shaped bread rolls, usually leavened and slightly sweetened or plain, sometimes containing spices, dried currants, etc.
bun
1 American
[buhn]
/ bʌn /
noun
-
buns
plural
-
any of a wide variety of variously shaped bread rolls, usually leavened and slightly sweetened or plain, sometimes containing spices, dried currants, etc.
-
hair gathered into a round coil or knot at the nape of the neck or on top of the head in certain coiffures.
-
Slang. buns, the buttocks.
bun
2
American
[buhn]
/ bʌn /
idioms
BUN
3
American
abbreviation
bun
British
/ bʌn /
noun
-
a small roll, similar to bread but usually containing sweetening, currants, spices, etc
-
any of various types of small round sweet cakes
-
a hairstyle in which long hair is gathered into a bun shape at the back of the head
-
slang to be pregnant
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bun1
1325–75; Middle English bunne, possibly of Romance origin; see also buñuelo ( def. )
Origin of bun2
First recorded in 1900–05; of uncertain origin
Origin of BUN3
First recorded in 1915–20
Explanation
A bun is a small roll, usually made of wheat flour and baked in an oven. You might bake a batch of buns for a breakfast treat on Sunday mornings. Some people celebrate spring or the Easter holidays by making hot cross buns, sweet rolls with currants or raisins and light frosting. Because buns are commonly small and round, the hairstyle that involves a tight coil of hair on the top or back of the head is also called a bun. The origin is probably the French buignete, "a fritter," which had the unpleasant original meaning of "a boil" or "a skin swelling."
Vocabulary lists containing bun
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Grab a pineapple bun stuffed with ham and butter, a corned beef egg tart, a sourdough one, even pistachio.
From Salon ● Aug. 9, 2026
Price for a caviar hot dog known as the Golden Glizzy, which features crème fraîche, mascarpone, 30 grams of Ossetra caviar and 24-karat edible gold flakes served on a fresh-baked croissant bun.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
It was run by a man in his early 40s with a single gold hoop and a tight gray bun.
From Salon ● Aug. 4, 2026
Staples at taverns across the state, Maid-Rites more closely resemble the sloppy joe of school lunchrooms: the ground-beef sandwiches are served on a soft bun and topped with mustard, pickles and raw onions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
A neat French braid begins at Zeta-4’s left ear and curves around the back, to where it twists into a pretzel bun on the opposite side, a lot like the Chancellor’s.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Urea concentration in the blood, called blood urea nitrogen or BUN, is used as an indicator of kidney function.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
BUN, BUNN, s. a cake commonly used at New-Year time, composed of flour, dried fruits, and spices.
From Wilson's Tales of the Borders and of Scotland, Volume XXIV. by Alexander Leighton
BUN, a small cake, usually sweet and round.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 4 "Bulgaria" to "Calgary" by Various
This proved true, for the most part: Many visitors clearly knew and loved “Star Wars,” and Princess Leia buns and Yoda ears abounded.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026
But they are also excellent spooned onto little buns, topped with cheese and baked into mushroom sliders.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
The No. 2 U.S. burger chain by sales has charged its corporate chef with upgrading the sauces, buns and packaging for its food.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
Inflation has been creeping up since February, but your wallet will feel a lot lighter after you scan the hamburger, hot dogs, buns, and even the barbecue sauce for your America’s 250th birthday party.
From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026
Johnny ran down and bought a nickel’s worth of buns hot from the oven.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
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