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. Slang.,  buns, the buttocks.

bun

²

[buhn]

BUN

³

abbreviation

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. 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, to be intoxicated.

   Everyone at the party seemed to have a bun on.

Example Sentences

I like to start my day with an iced morning bun latte from Tartine on Green Street.

From Los Angeles Times

His hair was tied up in a bun, which made him even hotter.

From Los Angeles Times

One morning before school, Rex, aged nine, ate a hot cross bun.

From BBC

The ASA said that shadows, poses, and a slick back bun hairstyle had been used to make the models appear thinner.

From BBC

She’s wearing overalls, half undone, oversize glasses, her golden hair tossed up in a messy bun with a stuffed sketchbook in hand.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bread 
• doughnut 
• muffin 
• pastry 
• scone