bun

¹ American  

[buhn] / bʌn /

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.

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bun ² American  

[buhn] / bʌn /

idioms

1. have a bun on, to be intoxicated.

   Everyone at the party seemed to have a bun on.

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BUN ³ American  

abbreviation

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

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bun British  

/ 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

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

I quickly put on my best dress and comb my hair into a bun.

From Literature

We sat on the edge of Willem’s bed gulping down the precious bun; I suspected that to buy it Willem had had to go without lunch.

From Literature

The image of Mom twisting her hair into a neat bun while wearing an orange jumpsuit makes me want to hurl.

From Literature

“Here,” he said, taking in from the sill a cream bun he had been keeping cold there.

From Literature

My eyes drifted to the woman, who wore a plain indigo tunic with knots, her graying hair drawn back in a tight bun.

From Literature

Related Words

• bread
• doughnut
• muffin
• pastry
• scone