Bologna - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

SKIP TO CONTENT bologna /bəˈloʊni/ /bəˈlɒnjə/ IPA guide

Other forms: bolognas

Bologna is a sliced sausage often used as lunch meat. If there's "mystery meat" on the menu at school, you'll probably be glad you packed a bologna sandwich.

Bologna evolved from mortadella, a pork sausage invented in Bologna, Italy. While bologna is pork-based, it can contain beef, chicken, turkey, or even soy protein. This pale, salty lunch meat is mild in flavor and a favorite with kids who find salami a bit too spicy. The correct pronunciation is "bo-LO-nya," but it's common to say "ba-LO-nee" instead. Experts attribute this to Anglicization, which often leaves Italian words with Y endings — like Italia becoming Italy.

Definitions of bologna
  1. noun a large smooth-textured smoked sausage of beef and veal and pork synonyms: Bologna sausage see moresee less types: polony another name for Bologna sausage type of: sausage highly seasoned minced meat stuffed in casings
Pronunciation US /bəˈloʊni/ UK /bəˈlɒnjə/ Cite this entry Style: MLA
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Vocabulary lists containing bologna

view more about the vocabulary list 5th Grade World Cuisine, List 2

This least features terms related to foods from around the world. Here are links to our lists in the collection: List 1, List 2, List 3

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