noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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Received-Pronunciation:/sʌˈpɔːn/
General-American:/səˈpɔn/
cot-caught-merger:/səˈpɑn/
rhymes with -ɔːn
1
noun
Meaning 1
A porridge made from cornmeal, similar to polenta; hasty pudding; mush.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: US, countable, uncountable
Examples
1829 July—October, The Westminster Review, Volume XI, In the shape of porridge the corn is called suppawn: Mr. Cobbett informs us, with the amusing particularity of a happy egotist, of the manner in which he feeds his family upon suppawn, and other substantial meats ; [...] .
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Etymology
Ultimately from an Algonquian language term such as Massachusett/Narragansett saupan (“softened by water”), Munsee nsá·pa·n, or a cognate thereof, whence also English samp. Possibly transmitted via New Netherland Dutch or Jersey Dutch suppaen, sapaen.
