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

Mr. Ireland writes crackling, funny dialogue that gradually exposes greater rifts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

All that crackling pressure on one athlete, the hushed ooooooohhs from the rafters, all of it.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 14, 2026

On a crackling night in Glasgow, substitute Kieran Tierney found the net from outside the box to restore the home side's lead in the 93rd minute.

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

Gibbs drove out, with the fires lighting the way and the crackling of the radio keeping him updated.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 31, 2025

Somewhere distant, there was a faint crackling sound, but he barely heard it over the roaring in his ears.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray