Popcorn is a snack which consists of grains of maize or corn that have been heated until they have burst and become large and light. It can be eaten with salt or sometimes sugar.
popcorn in British English
(ˈpɒpˌkɔːn)
noun
1.
a variety of maize having hard pointed kernels that puff up when heated
2.
the puffed edible kernels of this plant
Word origin
C19: so called because of the noise the grains make when they swell up and burst onheating
popcorn in American English
(ˈpɑpˌkɔrn)
US
noun
1.
a variety of Indian corn with small ears and hard, pointed grains which pop open into a white, puffy mass when heated
2.
the popped grains, usually salted and buttered for eating