barbeque

IPA/bˈɑːbəkjˌuː/
KK[bˈɑrbɪkjˌu]IPA/bˈɑːrbɪkjˌuː/

barbeque — noun

1. a metal frame or brick structure used for cooking food over an open fire, usuall

1.nounA2
Definition

a metal frame or brick structure used for cooking food over an open fire, usually outside

Example

Yan cleaned the barbeque grates with a wire brush before lighting the charcoal.

collocation: barbeque grates

The old barbeque in the backyard needed a new cover after the winter rain.

Common collocations
  • barbeque grates
  • portable barbeque
  • gas barbeque
  • charcoal barbeque
  • cover the barbeque
  • light the barbeque
Synonyms
  • grill

    often used interchangeably in US English, though a grill may be simpler (no lid)

  • barbecue pit

    a larger, usually brick or stone structure, common in the southern US and Latin America

Grammar Patterns

barbeque + noun (modifier: barbeque grates / barbeque grill)

Usage Note

Barbeque is a common alternate spelling of barbecue. The cooking apparatus is always used outdoors — never indoors where smoke and fire would be dangerous.

Common Mistakes

We lit the barbeque in the kitchen.
We lit the barbeque in the backyard.
barbeques are designed for outdoor use only.

2. a social event where food is cooked and eaten outdoors on a grill or open fire;

2.nounA2
Definition

a social event where food is cooked and eaten outdoors on a grill or open fire; also the meat or food cooked in this way

Example

The whole neighbourhood was invited to their annual summer barbeque.

collocation: annual barbeque

We had a barbeque on the beach to celebrate Tuan's birthday last Saturday.

Common collocations
  • annual barbeque
  • summer barbeque
  • have a barbeque
  • go to a barbeque
  • serve the barbeque
  • chicken barbeque
  • pork barbeque
Synonyms
  • cookout

    more common in US English; can mean any outdoor meal, not necessarily grilled meat

  • grill

    used as a noun for the meal in British English ("a summer grill")

Grammar Patterns

have a barbeque

go to a barbeque

Usage Note

When uncountable, barbeque refers to the cooked meat itself ("We had barbeque for dinner"). When countable, it usually refers to the social event ("We went to a barbeque").

Common Mistakes

I bought a barbeque at the supermarket' (meaning the meal).
I bought barbeque at the supermarket.
use the uncountable form when referring to the food.

barbeque — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Barbeque (or barbecue) is the broadest term for an outdoor meal where meat is cooked over fire or coals, often with a signature sauce. In the US, cookout is a more casual synonym that can describe any meal cooked and eaten outdoors — it does not always involve a grill (a picnic with cold food could still be called a cookout). Grill overlaps with barbeque as both an event and a cooking method, but a grill event is typically quicker, using direct high heat for hamburgers and hot dogs. Barbequing often implies slower cooking with smoke and seasoned sauces. For example: "We invited the neighbours for a barbeque on Saturday" suggests grilled meat with sauces; "We had a cookout by the lake" could mean hamburgers or sandwiches; "Let's have a grill in the park" is a quick, informal meal of direct-grilled items.

barbeque ↗cookout ↗grill ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • light the barbeque
  • fire up the barbeque
  • barbeque season
  • barbeque party

Prepositions

Etymology

TaínoSpanishFrench (influence)English

Barbeque is a common respelling of barbecue, which entered English from Spanish barbacoa, itself borrowed from the Taíno language of the Caribbean. The Taíno word referred to a wooden frame used for cooking or smoking meat. The spelling barbeque likely arose by association with the French barbe à queue ('from beard to tail', referring to cooking a whole animal), though linguists consider this a folk etymology. The variant barbeque is especially common in restaurant names and informal writing.