food

noun, often attributive \ ˈfüd \

|Updated on: 8 Aug 2018

Definition of food

1 a : 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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foodless

play \ˈfüd-ləs\ adjective

—

foodlessness

noun

See food defined for English-language learners

See food defined for kids

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 of food from the Web

The team doctor and security head came the night before to inspect food and drinks of, what, traditional Croatian fare?

— dave hyde, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Hyde: Will the World Cup and morning TV end with a Croatian surprise? | Commentary," 14 July 2018
The air show also has several levels of reserved seating packages, available for purchase which feature convenient access to parking, food and beverage concessions, and private restrooms.

— elaine rewolinski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summer Guide July 15-21: Festivals and free concerts," 14 July 2018
There’s a good balance of solid food and a good atmosphere.

— anna muckerman, baltimoresun.com, "Owners of Delia Foley's and Smaltimore to open new restaurant in Federal Hill," 13 July 2018
Cities also provide exponentially more food and waste from humans.

— aditi shrikant, BostonGlobe.com, "When wild animals urbanize," 13 July 2018
Cyclospora are parasites that can contaminate food or water and are common in some tropical and subtropical regions.

— jesse newman, WSJ, "McDonald’s Pulls Salads From 3,000 Restaurants Amid Cyclospora Illnesses," 13 July 2018
Core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy categories, rose 0.2 percent in June and 2.3 percent from a year earlier.

— christopher rugaber, Fox News, "US inflation reaches 2.9 percent in June, highest in 6 years," 13 July 2018
Cyclosporiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite, known as cyclospora, found in food or water that has been contaminated with feces.

— matthew haag, New York Times, "McDonald’s Removes Salads Linked to Intestinal Parasite Outbreak in Midwest," 13 July 2018
Winter Garden’s downtown district along Plant Street just keeps adding new food and shopping attractions to keep residents and visitors coming back.

— kyle arnold, OrlandoSentinel.com, "6 new things to check out in Winter Garden and 3 coming soon," 13 July 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of food

Middle English fode, from Old English fōda; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder, Latin panis bread, pascere to feed

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

food Synonyms

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

FOOD Defined for English Language Learners

food

noun

Definition of food for English Language Learners

: the things that people and animals eat
: a particular kind of food
: substances taken in by plants and used for growth

FOOD Defined for Kids

food

noun \ ˈfüd \

Definition of food for Students

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

Medical Dictionary

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