popcorn

American  

[pop-kawrn] / ˈpɒpˌkɔrn /

noun

1. any of several varieties of corn whose kernels burst open and puff out when subjected to dry heat.

2. popped corn.

3. peanut.

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popcorn British  

/ ˈpɒpˌkɔːn /

noun

1. a variety of maize having hard pointed kernels that puff up when heated

2. the puffed edible kernels of this plant

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Etymology

Origin of popcorn

1810–20, short for popped corn. See pop ¹, -ed ², corn ¹

Example Sentences

Popcorn became the go-to movie snack during the 1930s as theaters sought new revenue streams during the Great Depression, said film historian Ross Melnick, a professor at UC Santa Barbara.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

“People walk in thinking about popcorn before they see the food menu. Popcorn and Coke are the nucleus of a theater’s success.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

Typically, in early December, Almost Famous Popcorn would have been staffing up for the holiday rush, when the gourmet popcorn company does 60% of its sales.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 25, 2025

TJ’s Hot Honey Popcorn is “savory, salty, sweet, and spicy, all at once.”

From Salon • Jul. 30, 2025

In Popcorn and Inelda’s case, it had been a heated argument about who had better hair.

From "Bodega Dreams" by Ernesto Quinonez