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.

Nostalgia was what led Cypress Park food truck manager Fanor Sanchez, 32, to buy an alien head-shaped popcorn bucket.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026

The package also includes comfortable box seating and light snacks like popcorn and macarons, plus the welcome perk of skipping the long entry lines.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

Waters said his two children won free ice cream and popcorn, cementing his family’s loyalty to the hometown chain.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

Howe-Douglas added on Instagram: "You're going to need popcorn."

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2026

I don’t want Aunt Melissa to think I’m an irresponsible babysitter, so I choose a bag of cheddar popcorn.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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