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

Other recipients included fast-food chains Subway and Jack in the Box, distributor Cross Valley Farms and food service providers Sysco, Markon and Peak. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2026

American eating habits are shifting toward high-protein options, prompting major fast-food chains to reimagine traditional morning foods to meet growing consumer demand for functional nutrition. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026

What federal agencies say Last month, the Centers for Disease Control said a lettuce supplier to fast-food giant Taco Bell had been linked to the outbreak. — Paula Wethington, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026

Anaheim may have more fast-food employees because of Disneyland. — Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 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