A junket is a trip taken by officials or other people at someone else's expense, often involving fancy meals, entertainment, and comfortable accommodations. When politicians take a junket to study farming techniques in Hawaii, critics might question whether the trip is really necessary or just an excuse for a vacation paid for by taxpayers. When a company sends journalists on a junket to preview a new theme park, they're hoping the free trip will lead to positive reviews.

The word carries a hint of suspicion or disapproval, suggesting the trip might be more about pleasure than actual work. A business conference at a beach resort might be called a junket if people suspect the attendees are spending more time swimming than discussing business.

Less commonly, junket also refers to a sweet, milk-based dessert that's soft and wobbly like pudding, popular in old-fashioned cookbooks.