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.
But while fast-food joints can and will have a robot flipping burgers, independent, table-service restaurants are all about human interaction. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2025 The fast-food burger chain and the doughnut giant partnership was just over a year old, beginning in March 2024, bringing fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts to McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Catherine Muccigrosso, Charlotte Observer, 27 June 2025 Don't expect a fast-food chain, or any other corporation, to carry that load on behalf of the rest of society. Jesse Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 June 2025 What fast-food chain ended its partnership with McDonald’s? Staff, FOXNews.com, 27 June 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 3 Jul. 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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