1
a
: the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made
b
: a communal meal to which people bring food to share
—usually used attributively
a potluck supper
2
: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time
Examples of potluck in a Sentence
He organized a neighborhood potluck for next Saturday.
Recent Examples on the Web
This was all in the name of our summer cookbook potluck, celebrating the season’s best new releases.
—
Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026
No summer potluck is complete without this classic side dish, and this is our very best version.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Siple said church was a great anchor for him and his wife – not just on Sundays but throughout the week at Bible studies and potlucks.
—Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Along the route at potlucks and receptions in churches, bars, schools, and living rooms, Brent spoke and listened.
—Christina Ray Stanton, Time, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for potluck
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Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 June 2026
No summer potluck is complete without this classic side dish, and this is our very best version.
—Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 8 June 2026
Siple said church was a great anchor for him and his wife – not just on Sundays but throughout the week at Bible studies and potlucks.
—Aneri Pattani, USA Today, 6 June 2026
Along the route at potlucks and receptions in churches, bars, schools, and living rooms, Brent spoke and listened.
—Christina Ray Stanton, Time, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for potluck
Cite this Entry
“Potluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potluck. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
potluck
noun
pot·luck
ˈpät-ˈlək 
1
a
: a regular meal for which no special preparations have been made
b
: a meal to which people bring food to share
2
: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time
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