fast-food

adjective

ˈfas(t)-ˌfüd 

1

: of, relating to, or specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly

a fast-food restaurant

2

: designed for ready availability, use, or consumption and with little consideration given to quality or significance

fast-food TV programming

fast food noun

Examples of fast-food in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One of those killed was an employee, the fast-food chain’s owner said. — ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026

California is home to some of the most beloved fast-food chains in the country, including Mexican food favorites. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026

Taco Bell is offering steep discounts on lettuce-free menu items as the fast-food chain works to recover from the business impact of the cyclospora outbreak. — Teresa Mull, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2026

On July 24, the Centers for Disease Control said a lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell has been linked to the outbreak. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for fast-food

• accrued
• allude
• collude
• conclude
• construed
• debuted
• delude
• elude
• endued
• ensued
• eschewed
• etude

Kids Definition

fast-food

adjective

ˌfas(t)-ˌfüd

: specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly

a fast-food restaurant