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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Under his watch, the once-traditional fast-food chain had launched updatable menu screens in all restaurants and a sophisticated mobile app. Elie Ofek, Harvard Business Review, 14 Sep. 2025 What are a pirate’s two favorite fast-food restaurants? Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025 The fast-food sandwich chain added in a press release that customers can enjoy exclusive deals and rewards through its Subway MVP Rewards. Toby Meyjes, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025 For millions of digital natives scrolling through an overstimulated and over-commodified internet, that wisdom feels as foreign as heirloom seeds on a fast-food tray. Jason Phillips, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast-food

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fast-food was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Fast-food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-food. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

fast-food

adjective
ˌfas(t)-ˌfüd
: specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly
a fast-food restaurant
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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