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meal

noun (1)
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\ ˈmēl How to pronounce meal (audio) \

Definition of meal

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : an act or the time of eating a portion of food to satisfy appetite
2 : the portion of food eaten at a meal

meal

noun (2)

Definition of meal (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : the usually coarsely ground and unbolted seeds of a cereal grass or pulse especially : cornmeal
2 : a product resembling seed meal especially in particle size or texture

-meal

adverb combining form

Definition of -meal (Entry 3 of 3)

: by a (specified) portion or measure at a time piecemeal

First Known Use of meal

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for meal

Noun (1)

Middle English meel appointed time, meal, from Old English mǣl; akin to Old High German māl time, Latin metiri to measure — more at measure

Noun (2)

Middle English mele, from Old English melu; akin to Old High German melo meal, Latin molere to grind, Greek mylē mill

Adverb combining form

Middle English -mele, from Old English -mǣlum, from mǣlum, dative plural of mǣl

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Time Traveler for meal

Time Traveler

The first known use of meal was before the 12th century

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Cite this Entry

“Meal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meal. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for meal

meal

noun
\ ˈmēl How to pronounce meal (audio) \

Kids Definition of meal

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : the food eaten or prepared for eating at one time
2 : the act or time of eating

meal

noun

Kids Definition of meal (Entry 2 of 2)

: coarsely ground seeds of a cereal grass and especially of corn

meal

noun
\ ˈmē(ə)l How to pronounce meal (audio) \

Medical Definition of meal

: the portion of food taken at one time to satisfy appetite

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More from Merriam-Webster on meal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for meal

Nglish: Translation of meal for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of meal for Arabic Speakers

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