pancake

[pan-keyk]

noun

1. a thin, flat cake of batter fried on both sides on a griddle or in a frying pan; griddlecake or flapjack.

2. Also called pancake landing. an airplane landing made by pancaking.

verb (used without object)

pancaked, pancaking 

1. (of an airplane or the like) to drop flat to the ground after leveling off a few feet above it.

verb (used with object)

pancaked, pancaking 

1. Informal.,  to flatten, especially as the result of a collision or other mishap.

   The car had been pancaked by the bus.

2. to cause (an airplane) to pancake.

pancake

/ ˈpænˌkeɪk /

noun

1. 1. a thin flat cake made from batter and fried on both sides, often served rolled and filled with a sweet or savoury mixture

   2. ( as modifier )

      pancake mix

2. a Scot name for drop scone

3. a stick or flat cake of compressed make-up

4. Also called: pancake landing. an aircraft landing made by levelling out a few feet from the ground and then dropping onto it

verb

1. to cause (an aircraft) to make a pancake landing or (of an aircraft) to make a pancake landing

Word History and Origins

Origin of pancake¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; pan ¹, cake

Idioms and Phrases

see flat as a pancake.

Example Sentences

L.A. is a city filled with incredible pancake options, whether you prefer yours with a base of buttermilk or cornmeal, filled with blueberries or bananas, or topped with whipped cream.

From Los Angeles Times

Depending on how much I’ve worked that week and how much I want to spoil myself, I will also get pancakes.

From Los Angeles Times

At the official song contest draw to decide the running order, international delegations are being treated to a Russian feast, including cottage cheese pancakes and gingerbread sporting the Intervision logo.

From BBC

"I woke up and ate pancakes this morning. I would never have been able to eat pancakes before," he said.

From BBC

A cake decorated to look like a stack of pancakes dripping with maple syrup rested on a nearby folding table.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cake 
• crepe 
• waffle