brisket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Culinary/Everyday; a specialized food term used widely in contexts of cooking, dining, and food culture.
Quick answer
What does “brisket” mean?
A cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of an animal, typically a cow, known for its tough, fatty texture that becomes tender when cooked slowly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of an animal, typically a cow, known for its tough, fatty texture that becomes tender when cooked slowly.
While primarily a culinary term for a specific beef cut, it can refer to similar cuts from other animals (e.g., veal, lamb) and, by extension, to dishes prepared from this cut. It has no common metaphorical extensions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word refers to the same cut of meat. In the UK, it is often sold and prepared differently (e.g., more commonly salted or brined for a boiled dish, 'salt beef'). In the US, 'brisket' is overwhelmingly associated with barbecue (smoked or braised), particularly in Texan and Southern cuisine.
Connotations
UK: Connotes traditional, home-cooked, often boiled or pot-roasted dishes. US: Strongly connotes barbecue, smoking, outdoor cooking, and regional (especially Texan) food identity.
Frequency
More frequent in everyday American English due to the cultural prominence of barbecue. In British English, it is a known but less culturally central term.
Grammar
How to Use “brisket” in a Sentence
[verb] + brisket: smoke/cook/braise/slice/serve the brisketbrisket + [noun]: brisket sandwich/brisket point/brisket flatVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brisket” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific industries: restaurant/food supply, farming/butchery.
Academic
Rare, except in fields like animal science, food science, or culinary history.
Everyday
Common in contexts of cooking, dining out (especially at barbecue restaurants), grocery shopping, and food discussion.
Technical
Standard term in butchery, culinary arts, and animal husbandry to designate a specific primal cut.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brisket”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “brisket”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brisket”
- Mispronouncing as /ˈbrɪs.ket/ (with a clear 'e' sound) instead of /ˈbrɪs.kɪt/.
- Using it as a general term for any cheap or tough meat.
- Misspelling as 'briskit' or 'briscuit'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Traditionally, it was a cheaper, tougher cut. Due to its popularity in barbecue, high-quality brisket can now be moderately priced, though it is generally less expensive than premium steaks like filet mignon.
Yes, while 'brisket' most commonly means beef brisket, butchers may refer to veal brisket or lamb breast, which are similar cuts from younger cows or sheep.
A whole beef brisket comprises two muscles: the 'point' (or 'deckle') is thicker, fattier, and more marbled, while the 'flat' is leaner, thinner, and more uniform. They are often separated for different uses.
The brisket muscles (pectoralis) are heavily used by the animal, developing lots of connective tissue (collagen). Only long, slow cooking with moist heat can break down this collagen into gelatin, making the meat tender.
A cut of meat from the breast or lower chest of an animal, typically a cow, known for its tough, fatty texture that becomes tender when cooked slowly.
Brisket is usually culinary/everyday; a specialized food term used widely in contexts of cooking, dining, and food culture. in register.
Brisket: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪs.kɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbrɪs.kɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRISKET is the meat from the BR east or ch I S KELETon (chest skeleton). Or, to cook it, you must be BRISK, as it requires active preparation over many hours.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A for common usage. In specific contexts, it can be a METONYM for 'barbecue culture' (e.g., 'He's a brisket man' meaning he specializes in/smokes brisket).
Practice
Quiz
In which culinary tradition is 'brisket' most culturally central?