diet

noun (1)

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di·et | \ ˈdī-ət

Definition of diet

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed a diet of fruits and vegetables a vegetarian diet

b : habitual nourishment links between diet and disease

c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason was put on a low-sodium diet

d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight going on a diet

2 : something provided or experienced repeatedly Their imaginations feverish from a diet of detective novels … — The New Yorker heard a steady diet of excuses

diet

verb

dieted; dieting; diets

Definition of diet (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to take food : feed

2 : to cause to eat and drink sparingly or according to prescribed rules

intransitive verb

: to eat sparingly or according to prescribed rules has been dieting for two months

diet

adjective

Definition of diet (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : reduced in or free from calories a diet soft drink

2 : promoting weight loss (as by depressing appetite) diet pills

diet

noun (2)

Definition of diet (Entry 4 of 4)

1 : a formal deliberative assembly of princes or estates

2 : any of various national or provincial legislatures

Other Words from diet Did you know? More Example Sentences Phrases Containing diet Learn More About diet

Did you know?

The word diet first appeared in English in the 13th century. Its original meaning was the same as in modern English, “habitually taken food and drink.” But diet was used in another sense too in the Middle and early modern English periods to mean “way of living.” This is, in fact, the original meaning of diet’s Greek ancestor diaita, which is derived from the verb diaitasthan, meaning “to lead one’s life.” In Greek, diaita, had already come to be used more specifically for a way of living prescribed by a physician, a diet, or other regimen.

Examples of diet in a Sentence

Verb I've been dieting for two months.

First Known Use of diet

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Adjective

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1565, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for diet

Noun (1), Verb, and Adjective

Middle English diete, from Anglo-French, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life

Noun (2)

Middle English diete day's journey, day set for a meeting, from Medieval Latin dieta, literally, daily regimen, diet (taken as a derivative of Latin dies day), from Latin diaeta — see diet entry 1

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