bun

¹

[ buhn ]

noun

1. any of a wide variety of variously shaped bread rolls, usually leavened and slightly sweetened or plain, sometimes containing spices, dried currants, etc.
2. hair gathered into a round coil or knot at the nape of the neck or on top of the head in certain coiffures.
3. buns, Slang. the buttocks.

bun

²

[ buhn ]

BUN

³

abbreviation for

1. blood urea nitrogen: the concentration of nitrogen in the blood in the form of urea, indicating kidney function.

bun

/ bʌn /

noun

1. a small roll, similar to bread but usually containing sweetening, currants, spices, etc
2. any of various types of small round sweet cakes
3. a hairstyle in which long hair is gathered into a bun shape at the back of the head
4. have a bun in the oven slang.
   to be pregnant

Word History and Origins

Origin of bun¹

1325–75; Middle English bunne, possibly of Romance origin; buñuelo ( def )

Origin of bun²

First recorded in 1900–05; of uncertain origin

Origin of bun³

First recorded in 1915–20

Word History and Origins

Origin of bun¹

C14: of unknown origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. have a bun on, Slang. to be intoxicated:

   Everyone at the party seemed to have a bun on.

Example Sentences

The soft bun is hollowed out and warmed after ordering, making it a “French dog,” as the locals call it.

From Salon

For example, we buy the ducks whole for our dry-aged duck breasts and use the legs for the filling in our duck bun.

From Salon

One day he decided to paint a range of everyday objects, including shoes, a bathroom tap, an iced bun and a fried egg.

From BBC

There, dolphins and seashells are painted on the ceiling, the $25 Trump Burger comes with Thousand Island dressing on a Trump-branded brioche bun, and picture windows offer resplendent views of the Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

Brush the inside of each hot dog bun with 1/2 tablespoon of the mayonnaise.

From Salon

Related Words

• bread
• doughnut
• muffin
• pastry
• scone