often attributive
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 (such as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)
drought victims who don't have enough food to eat
b
: inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution
2
: nutriment in solid form
She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.
3
: something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies
food for thought
Books were his mental food.
foodlessness
noun
Examples of food in a Sentence
a farmer who grows his own food
drought victims who don't have enough food to eat
She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.
What is your favorite food?
fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods
Recent Examples on the Web
Even as Queen City Quarter struggles to attract new businesses, three of its tenants face eviction for unpaid rent at the former Epicentre food and entertainment complex in uptown Charlotte.
—
Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Political parties in the Scandinavian country largely focused on domestic issues during the election campaign, including the state of the economy, clean drinking water and food and fuel prices.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of millions of people, and entire industries, from the Persian Gulf to Asia, have been affected by industry shutdowns, rising food and heating costs stemming from higher energy prices, and fuel shortages.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
The food menu was also a grand slam, thanks to all-star chefs in the city who collaborated with the Phillies.
—Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for food
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Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026
Political parties in the Scandinavian country largely focused on domestic issues during the election campaign, including the state of the economy, clean drinking water and food and fuel prices.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2026
Hundreds of millions of people, and entire industries, from the Persian Gulf to Asia, have been affected by industry shutdowns, rising food and heating costs stemming from higher energy prices, and fuel shortages.
—Sudarsan Raghavan, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
The food menu was also a grand slam, thanks to all-star chefs in the city who collaborated with the Phillies.
—Kerri Corrado, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for food
Cite this Entry
“Food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
food
noun1
: material containing or consisting of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins used in the body of an animal to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy
also
: such material together with extra substances (as vitamins and minerals)
2
a
: organic substances taken in by green plants and used to build organic nutrients
b
: organic material produced by green plants and used by them as building material and as a source of energy
3
: nourishment in solid form
4
: something that nourishes, supports, or supplies
food for thought
Medical Definition
food
nounoften attributive
1
: 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 material together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)
2
: nutriment in solid form
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