bun

¹

[buhn]

noun

1. any of a wide variety of variously shaped bread rolls, usually leavened and slightly sweetened or plain, sometimes containing spices, dried currants, etc.

2. hair gathered into a round coil or knot at the nape of the neck or on top of the head in certain coiffures.

3. Slang.,  buns, the buttocks.

bun

²

[buhn]

BUN

³

abbreviation

1. blood urea nitrogen: the concentration of nitrogen in the blood in the form of urea, indicating kidney function.

bun

/ bʌn /

noun

1. a small roll, similar to bread but usually containing sweetening, currants, spices, etc

2. any of various types of small round sweet cakes

3. a hairstyle in which long hair is gathered into a bun shape at the back of the head

4. slang,  to be pregnant

Word History and Origins

Origin of bun¹

1325–75; Middle English bunne, possibly of Romance origin; buñuelo ( def. )

Origin of bun²

First recorded in 1900–05; of uncertain origin

Origin of bun³

First recorded in 1915–20

Word History and Origins

Origin of bun¹

C14: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have a bun on, to be intoxicated.

   Everyone at the party seemed to have a bun on.

Example Sentences

Hot cross bun, sausage, like a sausage cut up.

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This lady also wore her hair in a bun, but hers was pure silver.

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She undid her hair, brushed it out, and rewound it into a neat, freshly pinned bun.

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Embarrassed, Penelope reached up to smooth her hair, which had started the day in its usual neat bun, but was now in a state of wind-whipped disarray.

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Then I rolled it up like a cinnamon bun.

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Related Words

• bread 
• doughnut 
• muffin 
• pastry 
• scone