I am not sure why it has so many spellings (BBQ, barbecue, barbeque, bar-b-cue and so on.), but it’s probably because it has just as many meanings… not that any particular spelling is tied to any specific meaning.

BBQ is often used to describe an outdoor cooking device, usually needing to be fueled by wood, charcoal or gas. My favorite BBQs include the Weber 22.5” kettle grill and a Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker Smoker. The food that is prepared on a BBQ can also be referred to as BBQ. BBQ can also denote an outdoor get-together where food is prepared on or in a barbecue. This multifunctional word is also used to describe cooking techniques for grilling, grill roasting and smoking. Such as in the phrase “I am going to BBQ some ribs today.” No matter how you spell BBQ, one meaning that it will always convey is that of “pure deliciousness.”