popcorn

American

[pop-kawrn] / ˈpɒpˌkɔrn /

noun

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

popcorn British

/ ˈpɒpˌkɔːn /

noun

a variety of maize having hard pointed kernels that puff up when heated
the puffed edible kernels of this plant

"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

Etymology

Origin of popcorn

1810–20, short for popped corn. See pop ¹, -ed ², corn 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.

Citing the fibermaxxing trend — which, simply put, calls for eating more fiber — the company in March announced the launch of Smartfood popcorn and Sun Chips that both contain fiber.

From MarketWatch • May 10, 2026

Khloé Kardashian’s snack brand Khloud sprinkled protein onto chips and popcorn.

From Salon • May 7, 2026

Your brain is telling you, “hey, I can have popcorn because I can have a lot of little occasions without it filling me up.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

"Me and my cousins and my mom made popcorn and watched the launch. You guys are inspiring us all down here on Earth," their comment read.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

After you made popcorn, you could use the plastic dome as a bowl.

From "Wolfie & Fly" by Cary Fagan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023