popcorn

[ pop-kawrn ]

/ ˈpɒpˌkɔrn /

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noun

any of several varieties of corn whose kernels burst open and puff out when subjected to dry heat.

popped corn.

peanut (def. 4c).

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Origin of popcorn

1810–20, Americanism; short for popped corn.See pop¹, -ed², corn¹

Words nearby popcorn

poove, pop, pop art, Popayán, pop concert, popcorn, popcorn flower, popcorn movie, pope, Pope, Alexander, popedom

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use popcorn in a sentence

Our 17-year-old watched mostly because we had the popcorn, but did not enjoy the show in any dimension, save for the clothes.
Watching edgier TV with your kids during the pandemic? You’re not alone.|Bonnie Miller Rubin|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Pre-programmed settings can heat popular products quickly or provide a targeted amount of time to cook through frozen foods thoroughly, the most common being the popcorn and defrost settings.
The best microwaves: This way for buttery popcorn and tempting leftovers|PopSci Commerce Team|January 22, 2021|Popular-Science
Conagra Brands on Thursday forecast current-quarter profit above Wall Street estimates, betting that demand for its frozen dinners, cake mixes and gourmet popcorns will continue as the coronavirus crisis lingers.
U.S. suspends 25% tariff on French goods as it widens review of digital taxes||January 7, 2021|Washington Post
I doubt I’ll make any Bake Off-style showstoppers any time soon, but they’re just as enjoyable with popcorn.
These Extremely British Prep Bowls Helped Me Stop Panic-Cooking|Erica Sweeney|December 18, 2020|Eater

As soon as we walked in, I eyed a table topped with flavored popcorn and started plotting.
Need a last-minute gift? How about a camel? A different kind of year has groups hoping shoppers will turn to a different kind of giving.|Theresa Vargas|December 16, 2020|Washington Post
When his success was finally projected for the crowd—a 58 to 40 win—the crowd roared, popcorn spilling onto the floor.
Mitch’s Brotastic Victory Bash|Olivia Nuzzi|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But more important than the pass-the-popcorn appeal is what a Lewis vs. Rahm race would offer voters: an actual choice.
Could Rahm Lose to This Infamous Union Leader?|Kathleen Geier|July 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If your friends want to go throw popcorn at the screen, find new friends.
‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’ Is an Empty Pit of Nihilism|Teo Bugbee|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At dinner time we gathered around an inside campfire fueled by corn cobs and ate popcorn.
A Little Too Off the Beaten Path in Burma|Katya Cengel|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But no, they picked a medication that would make every doctor, nurse, and pharmacist in the audience choke on their popcorn.
Scandal’s Finale Featured One of the Most Preposterous TV Deaths Ever|Russell Saunders|April 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was a toy balloon, a beetle that ran all over the room in a life-like manner, a jumping jack, and some popcorn balls.
The Story of the Big Front Door|Mary Finley Leonard
A very handy device for shelling corn, and especially popcorn, can be made of a 1-in.
The Boy Mechanic, Book 2|Various
Supper, lettuce, dates, and a dish of popcorn flavored with peanut butter.
The Book of Life: Vol. I Mind and Body; Vol. II Love and Society|Upton Sinclair
Boil sugar or syrup with butter and water until it spins a long thread; pour this on popcorn and if desired shape into balls.
The New Dr. Price Cookbook|Anonymous
The microwave -- which always reeked of popcorn and spilled soup -- was right in there, on top of the miniature fridge.
Little Brother|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for popcorn

popcorn

/ (ˈpɒpˌkɔːn) /

noun

a variety of maize having hard pointed kernels that puff up when heated

the puffed edible kernels of this plant

Word Origin for popcorn

C19: so called because of the noise the grains make when they swell up and burst on heating

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012