pork barrel

noun

, Informal.

1. a government appropriation, bill, or policy that supplies funds for local improvements designed to ingratiate legislators with their constituents.

pork barrel

noun

1. slang.
   1. a bill or project requiring considerable government spending in a locality to the benefit of the legislator's constituents
   2. ( as modifier )

      pork-barrel spending

Other Words From

• pork-barrel adjective
• pork-barrel·ing adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pork barrel¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Word History and Origins

Origin of pork barrel¹

C20: term originally applied to the Federal treasury considered as a source of lucrative grants

Idioms and Phrases

Government funding of something that benefits a particular district, whose legislator thereby wins favor with local voters. For example, Our senator knows the value of the pork barrel . This expression alludes to the fatness of pork, equated with political largesse since the mid-1800s. [c. 1900]

Example Sentences

No member brought home more money than former Senator Richard Shelby, Republican of Alabama, who retired this year as one of the last big pork barrel legends.

From New York Times

Yet in Brazilian politics, centrist lawmakers, tempted by pork barrel and backroom deals, almost always side with the winner.

From Washington Post

Victors may draw lawmakers who did not back them during the campaign to fall in line with pork barrel spending and backroom deals.

From Washington Post

The once-popular practice of member-directed funding requests — often called “pork barrel” spending, because lawmakers would divert funds to pet projects in their states — was banished from Congress a decade ago.

From Seattle Times

Known as “pork barrel” legislation, it was often reformed over the years and banned for more than a decade before lawmakers agreed to revive the practice with strict guardrails last year.

From New York Times