crackling

American  

[krak-ling, -luhn] / ˈkræk lɪŋ, -lən /

noun

1. the making of slight cracking sounds rapidly repeated.

2. the crisp browned skin or rind of roast pork.

3. Southern U.S. Usually cracklings. the crisp residue left when fat, especially hog or chicken fat, is rendered.

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crackling British  

/ ˈkræklɪŋ /

noun

1. the crisp browned skin of roast pork

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Etymology

Origin of crackling

First recorded in 1540–50; crackle + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Don’t be afraid of any crackling; cumin seeds should sizzle when fried.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2026

But there were also thousands of local families gathered at the stadium with a crackling sense of anticipation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

But amid all that crackling electricity, everything around Marty begins to blur.

From Salon • Dec. 25, 2025

The show might not have the crackling vitality of “Hamilton” or the bluesy poignancy of “The Scottsboro Boys.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Today the only sounds were the cawing of an occasional magpie and the dry leaves crackling underfoot as Jonathan and his golden retriever, Moose, walked along the trail.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret