food

noun, often attributive

\ ˈfüd

Definition of food

1a : material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy also : such food together with supplementary substances (such as minerals, vitamins, and condiments) drought victims who don't have enough food to eat

b : inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution

2 : nutriment in solid form She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.

3 : something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies food for thought Books were his mental food.

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Examples of food in a Sentence

a farmer who grows his own food drought victims who don't have enough food to eat She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers. What is your favorite food? fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods

Recent Examples on the Web Some outdoor dining iterations are reservation only with seats, food and drink included with the price, and others are first-come, first-served without an additional cost. — Grace Wong, chicagotribune.com, "Confused about outdoor dining? Here’s a breakdown of the rules and safety guidelines.," 24 Oct. 2020 Originally from South America, alligator weed is a fast-growing invader, crowding the shorelines of lakes and reservoirs, choking off native plants that provide food and shelter for wildlife. — John Wilkens, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Is that alligator weed? Citizen scientists help keep tabs on county’s plants, animals," 24 Oct. 2020 Yet rising food and fuel prices, partly due to cash handouts to informal workers during the pandemic, have prompted investors to bet that policy makers will have to increase borrowing costs as soon as January to rein in inflation. — Matthew Malinowski, Bloomberg.com, "Brazil Consumer Prices Jump Amid Soaring Costs of Food Staples," 23 Oct. 2020 Inflation has soared past 200% this year as food and fuel shortages have continued to dog the oil-producing nation. — Nicholas Bariyo, WSJ, "Israel, Sudan Agree to Normalize Ties in U.S.-Brokered Deal," 23 Oct. 2020 And celebrate attendees shall, amid myriad food and beverage experiences from a wide variety of participating Orlando restaurants, including Maxine’s on Shine, MX Taco, Outpost Kitchen, Santiago’s Bodega and Uncommon Catering. — Amy Drew Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Halloween flavors hit Kelly’s, a Mask-for-Aid Ball and more," 23 Oct. 2020 Rose Bove LaRose Cancer Center through the provision of no-cost shelf-stable food and nutritional education on a monthly basis. — courant.com, "Community News For The Putnam-Killingly Edition," 23 Oct. 2020 The challenges were often insanely physical, they were given hardly any food and water, and in general were forced much more to actually survive on their own without supplies out in the elements. — Dalton Ross, EW.com, "Survivor Quarantine Questionnaire: Bruce Kanegai says players today have it too easy," 23 Oct. 2020 Some have delivered food and medical supplies to elders. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Westminster Dog Show, Surgeon General cited, Las Vegas casino to debut: News from around our 50 states," 23 Oct. 2020

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

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Last Updated

28 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food. Accessed 29 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for food

food

noun

English Language Learners Definition of food

: the things that people and animals eat

: a particular kind of food

: substances taken in by plants and used for growth

See the full definition for food in the English Language Learners Dictionary

food

noun

\ ˈfüd

Kids Definition of food

1 : the material that people and animals eat : material containing carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and supplements (as minerals and vitamins) that is taken in by and used in the living body for growth and repair and as a source of energy for activities

2 : inorganic substances (as nitrate and carbon dioxide) taken in by green plants and used to build organic nutrients

3 : organic materials (as sugar and starch) formed by plants and used in their growth and activities

4 : solid food as distinguished from drink

food

noun, often attributive

\ ˈfüd

Medical Definition of food

1 : material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy also : such material together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)

2 : nutriment in solid form

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