chunk
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
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to cut, break, or form into chunks.
Chunk that wedge of cheese and put the pieces on a plate.
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to remove a chunk or chunks from (often followed byout ).
Storms have chunked out the road.
verb (used without object)
idioms
verb (used with object)
-
to toss or throw; chuck.
chunking pebbles at the barn door.
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to make or rekindle (a fire) by adding wood, coal, etc., or by stoking (sometimes followed byup ).
noun
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a thick solid piece, as of meat, wood, etc
-
a considerable amount
Etymology
Origin of chunk1
First recorded in 1685–95; nasalized variant of chuck 2
Origin of chunk2
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; perhaps nasalized variant of chuck 1
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.
In Goonies terms, that gate opener is so complicated that Chunk would still be waiting to get in.
From Barron's • May 14, 2026
Chunk beat one of the biggest bears at the river, known as 856, by more than 30,000 votes.
From BBC • Oct. 1, 2025
Grazer, also known as Bear 128 to the fans of Fat Bear Week at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve, won this year’s contest, handily defeating Chunk 108,321 to 23,134 in the finals.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 12, 2023
The recall was initiated by Winter Gardens on July 10, two weeks before Trader Joe’s announced a recall of its Almond Windmill and Dark Chocolate Chunk and Almond cookies.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2023
The village is of considerable size, with several very pretty buildings, located amongst the rocks and crags not unlike Mauch Chunk, being quite destitute of soil.
From Notes on a Tour Through the Western part of The State of New York by Anonymous
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
