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porridge

American  
[pawr-ij, por-] / ˈpɔr ɪdʒ, ˈpɒr- /

noun

  1. a food made of oatmeal, or some other meal or cereal, boiled to a thick consistency in water or milk.


porridge British  
/ ˈpɒrɪdʒ /

noun

  1. a dish made from oatmeal or another cereal, cooked in water or milk to a thick consistency

  2. slang a term in prison (esp in the phrase do porridge )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of porridge

1525–35; variant of earlier poddidge, akin to pottage

Compare meaning

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Explanation

Porridge is a thick, warm type of food similar to oatmeal. It's often a breakfast food. When you boil oats in milk or water, the end result of porridge. Porridge is served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon. It’s usually served for breakfast and is famous for appearing in the fairy tale of Goldilocks. Porridge is the food that's too hot, too cold, and then just right.

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Vocabulary lists containing porridge

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.

However, he was talked into reprising the character in Porridge sequel Going Straight.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

Barker called time on Porridge after three series, fearing that he might become typecast as Fletcher.

From BBC • Sep. 4, 2024

It is served at L.A. eateries, including M Cafe and Porridge + Puffs.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2023

As part of Doing Porridge, a two-year project examining the role of food in women's prisons, we organized workshops for women prisoners in the south-east and north of England.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2023

“Birthday parties! Porridge and jam!” the children cried happily, for of course Penelope had told them all about it.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood