eat

verb

\ ˈēt

ate\ˈāt,

dialectal or Britishˈet \; eaten\ˈē-tᵊn

\; eating

Definition of eat

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn

2a : to destroy, consume, or waste by or as if by eating expenses ate up the profits gadgets that eat up too much space

b : to bear the expense of : take a loss on the team was forced to eat the rest of his contract

3a : to consume gradually : corrode cars eaten away by rust

b : to consume with vexation : bother what's eating you now

4 : to enjoy eagerly or avidly : lap —used with up it was an amazing performance and the crowd ate it up

5 usually vulgar : to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on —often used with out

intransitive verb

1 : to take food or a meal

2 : to affect something by gradual destruction or consumption —usually used with into, away, or at the loss was really eating at herthe controversy ate into his support

eat alive

: to defeat, conquer, or overwhelm completely : crush was eaten alive by the competition

eat one out of house and home

: to consume more than one can easily provide or afford

eat one's heart out

1 : to grieve bitterly

2 : to be jealous

eat one's words

: to retract what one has said

eat out of one's hand

: to accept the domination of another

eat someone's lunch

: to deprive of profit, dominance, or success

eat

noun

Definition of eat (Entry 2 of 2)

: something to eat : food —usually used in plural

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Examples of eat in a Sentence

Verb

You'll feel better if you eat something. I ate a big breakfast so I'm not very hungry. They like to eat at home.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Eating it: Some folks spoon directly into their mouths. — Ann Maloney, NOLA.com, "Cajun Caviar? On National Caviar Day, we indulge in Atchafalaya fish eggs," 19 July 2017 New this year to True Nature is a retreat for those with eating disorders and their family members. — Plain Dealer Guest Writer, cleveland.com, "Ohio retreat centers offer a break from busy, close to home (photos)," 19 July 2017 However hot dogs may have originated, the council estimates Americans will eat 7 billion of them between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day. — Don Sweeney, sacbee, "It’s National Hot Dog Day! So, where are the deals?," 19 July 2017 In fact, a recent survey showed that 36% of Chick-fil-A dinner customers take their meal to go from restaurants to eat at home. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "Chick-fil-A Is About to Make Picking Up Dinner Easy and Delicious," 19 July 2017 The casual restaurant and bar also offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at 8 a.m. Sundays. — Vickie Snow Jurkowski, Daily Southtown, "Simple cocktail or meal in a glass, the Bloody Mary can be the cure for what ails you," 19 July 2017 Miami was last in the NFL at 57 plays per game last season partly because the offense didn’t convert effectively on third downs, but also because the porous run defense allowed opponents to eat up the clock. — Chris Perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Countdown to training camp: Can Burke turn last year’s so-so defense into a top unit? | Analysis," 19 July 2017 Parents and their children can bring a lunch to eat during the program. — Michelle Mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 18 July 2017 Hammerhead worms contain the same toxin as blowfish and can be harmful if eaten. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "Watch a Mysterious Worm With an Anus for a Mouth," 15 July 2017

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

American European Foods will serve eats like Cevaps, hamburgers, hot dogs and nachos. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Where to find beer gardens in Milwaukee's southern suburbs," 18 June 2018 Jack London Square Art & Wine Festival More than 40 Northern California wineries offering tastings, as well as small eats, craft beer, cider, live music, vendors, artists and more. — Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, "Events listings," 10 May 2018 Enter into a living room with an electric fireplace; beyond, a sunny eat-in kitchen with breakfast bar opens to a deck in the back. — Jon Gorey, BostonGlobe.com, "For sale: Homes near golf courses, in Lakeville and Quincy," 8 June 2018 Built in 1900 and designed by architect Alfred Alschuler, the three-story mansion has five baths, three fireplaces, a library, an office, a sunroom and a new eat-in kitchen with Joliet custom cabinets, granite countertops and a butler’s pantry. — Bob Goldsborough, chicagotribune.com, "Kenwood mansion on Barack Obama's block sells for $1.85 million," 24 Apr. 2018 In February, the East Side favorite since 1974 opened up a small eat-in area next door. — cleveland.com, "40 of Cleveland's best small restaurants and bars: 2018 guide," 19 Apr. 2018 At more than 30 feet by 18 feet, the eat-in kitchen extends seamlessly to the 24-by-18-foot great room. — Joan Walden, courant.com, "59 Lord Davis Lane, Avon," 8 Mar. 2018 Dining Table + Linen/Silverware Drawer In a small eat-in kitchen, this table is a pinch-hitter. — Joanna Linberg, Sunset, "11 Double-Duty Furniture Pieces for Small Spaces," 22 Jan. 2018 Six years ago, the intensity, tension and dog-eat-dog ethos were palpable. — Albert Breer, SI.com, "For Pete Carroll’s Seahawks, It’s Time to Compete Again," 11 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'eat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.