chunk
1 Americannoun
verb (used with object)
-
to cut, break, or form into chunks.
Chunk that wedge of cheese and put the pieces on a plate.
-
to remove a chunk or chunks from (often followed byout ).
Storms have chunked out the road.
verb (used without object)
idioms
verb (used with object)
-
to toss or throw; chuck.
chunking pebbles at the barn door.
-
to make or rekindle (a fire) by adding wood, coal, etc., or by stoking (sometimes followed byup ).
noun
-
a thick solid piece, as of meat, wood, etc
-
a considerable amount
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of chunk1
First recorded in 1685–95; nasalized variant of chuck 2
Origin of chunk2
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35; perhaps nasalized variant of chuck 1
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.
“For something that’s such a huge chunk of the budget, I’d redline it more and see exactly what’s going to what,” she said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026
It covered a large chunk of the cost, and she says she is grateful to friends and family for "playing a part" in bringing her son into the world.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
The company argued attorneys were swindling their own clients, inflating medical bills of car crash victims to increase the value of the settlement and then pocketing a hefty chunk of the payouts.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 26, 2026
But you will also save a chunk of money on your existing mortgage by simplifying your life and you will probably break even on those costs in a year or two.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026
I go to grab the largest chunk, but Henry slaps my hand away and takes it for himself.
From "Blood on the River" by Elisa Carbone
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
