definitions

bar-b-que

[ bahr-bi-kyoo, -bee- ]
/ ˈbɑr bɪˌkyu, -bi- /
|

noun, verb (used with or without object), bar-b-qued, bar-b-qu·ing.

barbecue.

RELATED CONTENT

queRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE
The Letter B Once Had A Much Longer NameThe letter B was part of the Phoenician alphabet more than 3000 years ago in 1000 BCE. At that time, the letter was called beth and looked a little different, but it made the sound of b and was second in the alphabet. The shape of the letter resembled the floor plan of a house, and the word beth meant “house.” This is pictured below. In Hebrew, the letter was called beth, bet, or bayt which also …
READ MORE

Nearby words

bar sinister, bar tack, bar-, bar-and-grill, bar-b-q, bar-b-que, bar-le-duc, bar-tack, bar., bara, barabara

Origin of bar-b-que

see origin at Bar-B-Q

Definition for bar-b-que (2 of 2)

barbecue

or bar·be·que, bar-b-que

[ bahr-bi-kyoo ]
/ ˈbɑr bɪˌkyu /

noun

verb (used with object), bar·be·cued, bar·be·cu·ing.

to broil or roast whole or in large pieces over an open fire, on a spit or grill, often seasoning with vinegar, spices, salt, and pepper.
to cook (sliced or diced meat or fish) in a highly seasoned sauce.

verb (used without object), bar·be·cued, bar·be·cu·ing.

to cook by barbecuing or to entertain at a barbecue: If the weather's nice, we'll barbecue in the backyard.

Origin of barbecue

1655–65; < Spanish barbacoa < Arawak (perhaps Taino) barbacoa a raised frame of sticks

Related forms

bar·be·cu·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for bar-b-que

British Dictionary definitions for bar-b-que

barbecue

/ (ˈbɑːbɪˌkjuː) /

noun

a meal cooked out of doors over an open fire
an outdoor party or picnic at which barbecued food is served
a grill or fireplace used in barbecuing
the food so cooked

verb -cues, -cuing or -cued (tr)

to cook (meat, fish, etc) on a grill, usually over charcoal and often with a highly seasoned sauce
to cook (meat, fish, etc) in a highly seasoned sauce

Word Origin for barbecue

C17: from American Spanish barbacoa, probably from Taino: frame made of sticks
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