- Main Entry:
- food

- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈfüd\
- Function:
- noun
- Usage:
- often attributive
- Etymology:
- Middle English fode, from Old English fōda; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder, Latin panis bread, pascere to feed
- Date:
- before 12th century
1 a: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy; also : such food together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments) b: inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution2: nutriment in solid form3: something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies <food for thought>
—
food·less
\-ləs\ adjective
— food·less·ness noun