buco

Buco is an Italian noun meaning “hole” or “opening.” In standard Italian it can denote a cavity in a solid object, a gap in a surface, or a figurative opening in time or opportunity. The term also appears in various regional expressions, where its precise sense depends on context.

In culinary usage, buco is most prominently encountered as part of the name ossobuco, a classic Milanese braised veal shank dish. The name ossobuco is commonly analyzed as derived from ossa (bone) and buco (hole), referring to the hollow marrow-containing bone. Ossobuco is typically braised with vegetables, white wine, and broth, and is frequently served with risotto alla milanese.

As a proper noun, buco appears as a surname and, less commonly, in place names in Italy and other regions with Italian heritage. These uses are unrelated to the common noun meaning and reflect local linguistic history rather than a direct description of holes.

In other contexts, buco may be encountered in borrowed or compound terms in Italian or regional dialects, always retaining its basic sense of a hole or opening. The most notable association in global cuisine remains ossobuco, making buco a word widely recognized through that dish.