barbecue

1 of 2

verb

bar·​be·​cue ˈbär-bi-ˌkyü How to pronounce barbecue (audio)
barbecued; barbecuing; barbecues

transitive verb

1
: to roast or broil (food, such as meat) on a rack or revolving spit over or before a source of heat (such as hot coals or a gas flame)
barbecuing chicken for dinner
2
: to prepare (food, such as beef, pork, or chicken) by seasoning (as with a marinade, a barbecue sauce, or a rub) and cooking usually slowly and with exposure to low heat and to smoke
Barbecuing brisket begins late Thursday night so they can start serving at noon Friday.Carlos Frías
To be really barbecued, ribs must roast slowly over hardwood, which cooks them with a combination of heat and smoke.Dennis R. Getto
I prepared it with a rub rather than a marinade or barbecue sauce. It was the first time I'd barbecued meat seasoned with a rub, and it was very easy.Margaret Prouse
3
informal : to subject (someone) to harsh criticism or ridicule
Republicans now talk of winning 15 to 20 new seats in November, a prospect that has the faithful and the financiers wanting to barbecue Clinton for at least a few more weeks.Nancy Gibbs et al.

intransitive verb

: to barbecue food
barbecuing on a grill
There are no shortcuts in barbecuing here. The brisket, for example, is slow smoked with a dry rub for 14 to 16 hours …Constance Snow
barbecuer noun
plural barbecuers

barbecue

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly barbeque
1
a
: a large animal (such as a steer) roasted whole or split over an open fire or a fire in a pit
b
: barbecued food
eat barbecue
2
: a social gathering especially in the open air at which barbecued food is eaten
3
: an often portable fireplace over which meat and fish are roasted

Examples of barbecue in a Sentence

Verb We barbecued chicken and ribs. We barbecue often during the summer. Noun grill a steak on the barbecue We plan to have a barbecue for the whole family. She invited us over for some beer and barbecue.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Snake meat—which can be used in soups, curries, sauteed on skewers, dried into jerky and barbecued—is similar in flavor and texture to chicken. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024 When it's cooked whole, it's usually served as a roast or barbecued brisket. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 15 Mar. 2024 Note that it's not barbecued spaghetti (the noodles aren't cooked on a pit) but rather barbecue spaghetti—a fusion of two popular dishes. Robert F. Moss, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2024 Also listed on the Texas Monthly list, Hurtado is known for its Tex-Mex approach to barbecue. Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Feb. 2024 According to his father, Richard, Johnny has never fought a kangaroo but occasionally enjoys the occasional barbecued roo fillet. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 2 Feb. 2024 Dave Grohl Takes Time Off from Foo Fighters' Australian Tour to Feed Homeless in Melbourne In February 2023, Grohl also got behind the grill to support Hope the Mission and feed the homeless — barbecuing for 24 hours in L.A. Ilana Kaplan, Peoplemag, 14 Feb. 2024 When Winslow’s opened, families went for pizzas like the Jim Bowie: barbecued chicken and bacon with barbecue sauce and jalapenos ($19). Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2024 It’s typically made of pig head and other parts of the animal that are often discarded, and is similar to barbecue in the U.S. Historically, there is a basis for why some Salvadorans believe there are no Black people in the country. Ingrid Cruz, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2023
Noun
But don't even think about leaving town before tracking down some authentic Texas barbecue, which Austin has in delicious abundance. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Mar. 2024 Home to around 20 local vendors, the hall has everything from finger-lickin' good barbecue (Smokin’ Jack’s) and fresh sushi (Kawa), to top-notch burgers and custard (Dairyland) and sweet-as-can-be baked goods (Mid-Way Bakery). Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 19 Mar. 2024 Located on the corner of Ray Road and Val Vista Drive, husband and wife owners Mark and Colette Nichols serve barbecue with Southwestern touches like green chili and habanero sauce. The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 Choose from its barbecue chicken, pepperoni, or traditional cheese pizza. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 14 Mar. 2024 Don Oscar provides no-frills barbecue and bright-orange hot sauce in repurposed Pepsi bottles. Laurence Blair, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 Hit the beach where kiddos can splash about, paddle board, or enjoy a nice barbecue by the sea. Miami Staff, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Now, in Good Lookin’ Cookin’, the sisters will reveal 80 more beloved recipes like barbecue spare ribs, macaroni and cheese and strawberry shortcake. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 7 Mar. 2024 The open-faced turkey sandwich, usually served warm on a thick slice of toast with bacon, tomatoes, and Mornay sauce, is a headliner on the Bluegrass State’s long list of culinary contributions, alongside barbecue, bourbon, and burgoo. Robin Roenker, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barbecue.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

American Spanish barbacoa framework for supporting meat over a fire, probably from Taino

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1689, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1733, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of barbecue was circa 1689

Dictionary Entries Near barbecue

Cite this Entry

“Barbecue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barbecue. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

barbecue

1 of 2 verb
bar·​be·​cue ˈbär-bi-ˌkyü How to pronounce barbecue (audio)
barbecued; barbecuing
1
: to cook over or before an open source of heat (as hot coals)
2
: to cook in a highly seasoned sauce
barbecuer noun

barbecue

2 of 2 noun
variants also barbeque
1
a
: a large animal (as a hog or steer) roasted or broiled over an open fire
b
: barbecued food
2
: an outdoor social gathering at which barbecued food is eaten
Etymology

Noun

from American Spanish barbacoa "a rack for hanging meat over a fire," of Caribbean Indian origin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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