cooking

[ kook-ing ]

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that cooks.
2. the art or practice of preparing food; cookery.

adjective

1. used in preparing foods:

   All of my cooking utensils are packed, so I had to order pizza.

2. suited for use in cooked food: Compare baking ( def 5 ), eating ( def 4 ).

   The Golden Delicious is our favorite cooking apple, especially for applesauce.

Other Words From

• self-cook·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cooking¹

First recorded in 1635–45; cook ¹ + -ing ¹ for the noun senses; cook ¹ + -ing ² for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

Working with the finest ingredients helped to foster a culture of innovation in my cooking.

From Salon

What stands out for you as a formative moment that got you into cooking or food at large?

From Salon

Cooking for my siblings when we were younger definitely helped shape my passion for cooking.

From Salon

I quickly discovered I was pretty good at it, which kind of ignited my enjoyment and satisfaction I gained through cooking.

From Salon

What is your favorite cooking memory?

From Salon

Related Words

• cookery
• cuisine
• culinary art
• culinary science