Burger
A burger is a type of sandwich or patty-based dish, usually served in a split bun or bread roll.
A burger is a type of sandwich or patty-based dish typically served in a split bun or bread roll. In North American usage, including Canada, the term most commonly refers to a hamburger or similar sandwich made with a cooked patty, but it may also apply to vegetarian or other non-beef versions. The word 'burger' is widely used as a short form of hamburger.
Definition and usage
Burger is commonly used as a short form of hamburger. In common English usage, a burger is a hamburger or a similar sandwich served in a bun. Dictionary sources describe burger as a shortened form of hamburger. The term is also used more broadly for similar patties made from other ingredients.
Ingredients and variations
The classic burger is made with a ground-meat patty, often beef, served in a bun. Common variations include cheeseburgers, turkey burgers, tofu burgers, and other plant-based or alternative protein versions. The term can also extend to patties made from non-beef ingredients, such as tofu or turkey.
Cultural role
Burgers are strongly associated with fast food in many countries, especially the United States, where the hamburger became an emblematic food. They are also widely available in diners, casual restaurants, and more upscale settings. Despite their fast-food reputation, burgers are served in a range of dining environments.
Terminology by region
Usage differs by region and language. In some English varieties, burger can refer to a broader range of sandwiches made with buns, while North American usage is more specific to sandwiches with patties. In Canada, burger is widely understood in the same general sense as North American English.
Key facts
- Burger is commonly used as a short form of hamburger and typically refers to a sandwich with a cooked patty in a bun.
- The term can also apply to patties made from non-beef ingredients such as tofu or turkey.
- Burgers are widely associated with fast food but are also served in casual and upscale restaurants.
- The meaning of burger can vary by region; North American usage is more specific than some other English varieties.
Burgers are a common part of Canadian fast food and casual dining, and the term is widely understood in Canadian English in the same general sense as North American English.
Frequently asked questions
What is a burger?
Is a burger always made with beef?
Is burger the same as hamburger?
Are burgers only fast food?
Does the word burger mean the same thing everywhere?
References
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/burgerSupports: Defines burger as hamburger and a sandwich similar to a hamburger.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/hamburgerSupports: Describes hamburger as ground beef or a sandwich with a beef patty in a bun; notes fast-food and cultural significance.
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/burgerSupports: Defines burger as meat or other food made into a round flat shape, fried and usually eaten in a bread roll; notes short form of hamburger.
- Vocabulary.com — https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/burgerSupports: States burger is a casual shorthand for hamburger and can be made from other ingredients.
- Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/HamburgerSupports: Summarizes burger/hamburger as a sandwich with a meat patty and notes global popularity.
- Wiktionary — https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/burgerSupports: Gives regional meanings and broader usage of burger as a similar sandwich or patty.
- Lieferando Foodwiki — https://www.lieferando.de/foodwiki/amerikanische-kueche/burger/Supports: Describes burger as a patty in bun with toppings and notes burger as an abbreviation of hamburger.