lunch

noun \ ˈlənch \

Definition of lunch

1 :a usually light meal; especially :one taken in the middle of the day

2 :the food prepared for a lunch

— out to lunch

slang :out of touch with reality

See lunch defined for English-language learners

See lunch defined for kids

Examples of lunch in a Sentence

I like to eat a healthy lunch every day.
We took a picnic lunch to the park.
They've brought their own lunches with them.
I had just a sandwich for lunch.
I bought her some lunch.

Recent Examples of lunch from the Web

The Los Rancheros Kiwanis Club is holding its 49th annual pancake breakfast from 7:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2 at the Rancho Bernardo High School lunch area, 13010 Paseo Lucido.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Kiwanians to hold 49th annual pancake breakfast on Saturday," 30 Aug. 2017
Skaters will receive lunch and a free raffle ticket for prizes.

— michelle mullins, Naperville Sun, "This Week in Naperville," 29 Aug. 2017
The soup at lunch one recent day definitely lived up to the Buffet’s tradition.

— bud kennedy, star-telegram, "Casanova’s passion rules the Kimbell, but the Buffet knows the way to our heart," 26 Aug. 2017
To be eligible, a family must be identified under the free/reduced lunch program through the Direct Certification Program of the state education department.

— AL.com, "Hop City mural, Charlemagne Records, new Blue Bell flavor top AL.com business news," 25 Aug. 2017
Whole grain foods, proteins, vegetables and milk are listed on the menu for healthy school lunches.

— gary warth, sandiegouniontribune.com, "'Equity ambassadors,' new programs greet students as school year commences," 25 Aug. 2017
It was packed with people eating lunch and talking on cellphones.

— winnie hu, New York Times, "Prime Parking Spaces for People, Not Cars," 24 Aug. 2017
Eight dishes make up the lunch menu and the picnic plate ($11) is ideal for sharing.

— lindsey mcclave, The Courier-Journal, "Gralehaus is one of the restaurants making Louisville shine | Review," 23 Aug. 2017
For lunch in their Woodstock, Vermont, garden, Zoe and James Zilian — the ceramist founders of Farmhouse Pottery — take their cues from the earthy texture of stoneware.

— hillary brown, House Beautiful, "This Ceramic-Filled Tablescape Serves Up Zen Simplicity," 18 Aug. 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of lunch

probably short for luncheon

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1800

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

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

lunch

verb

Definition of lunch

intransitive verb

:to eat lunch

transitive verb

:to treat to lunch

—

luncher

noun

See lunch defined for English-language learners

Examples of lunch in a Sentence

She often lunches in the park.

Recent Examples of lunch from the Web

Walking home on Feb. 25, 1980 after lunching with future French president François Mitterand, Roland Barthes – one of the great French intellectuals of the last century – was struck by a laundry van, sustaining serious injuries.

— mike fischer, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'The Seventh Function of Language' a brainy thriller akin to 'The Name of the Rose'," 10 Aug. 2017
Want to snap a selfie while lunching with House Speaker Paul Ryan in Boise on Aug. 22?

— cynthia sewell, idahostatesman, "Idaho, you’re cordially invited to lunch with Speaker Paul Ryan. Send your check to ...," 1 Aug. 2017
There were also regular updates on Brooke Astor, the late heiress, with whom my mother lunched from time to time—and here the tone of the report shifted.

— lucy ives, Vogue, "My Mother, the Metropolitan Museum, and I," 23 July 2017
One of their favorite places to practice good manners is lunching at Atlanta's iconic Swan Coach House.

— nellah mcgough, Southern Living, "Gorgeous Grandma Day," 11 July 2017
The gaggle of cyclists lunching in front of Venti’s Café, 325 Court St. N.E., testified to the street tacos, and this quick, informal spot evoked a healthy aura.

— bill thorness, The Seattle Times, "Pedals ho! Exploring a new Oregon Trail of ales," 29 June 2017
While in Washington in March, MBS lunched with Trump and Kushner in the State Dining Room.

— Washington Post, "Trump and Saudi king rely on 30-something son, son-in-law," 23 June 2017
In 2012, a previous mayor drafted an ordinance fining tourists as much as $650 for dripping ice cream, dropping crumbs and lunching on the monuments.

— jason horowitz, New York Times, "No Swimming! Rome Braces for Summer of Tourists at Its Fountains," 22 June 2017
That day, shortly after lunching at Union Station, the Puerto Ricans walked to the U.S. Capitol, and made their way past security, though they were armed with pistols.

— the washington post, AL.com, "Violence against Congress nothing new: Duels, KKK attacks, assassins have killed American 14 lawmakers," 14 June 2017

First Known Use of lunch

1811

Other Food Terms

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

LUNCH Defined for English Language Learners

lunch

noun

Definition of lunch for English Language Learners

: a light meal eaten in the middle of the day

lunch

verb

Definition of lunch for English Language Learners

: to eat lunch

LUNCH Defined for Kids

lunch

noun \ ˈlənch \

Definition of lunch for Students

1 :a light meal especially when eaten in the middle of the day

It's time for lunch.

2 :food prepared for lunch

You're eating my lunch!

lunch

verb

Definition of lunch for Students

lunched; lunching

:to eat lunch Let's lunch in the park.

Learn More about lunch

See words that rhyme with lunch Spanish Central: Translation of lunch Nglish: Translation of lunch for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lunch for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up lunch? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

lunch

Definition of lunch

From the M-W Editors

Examples of lunch in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lunch from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lunch

Other Food Terms

lunch

Definition of lunch

luncher

Examples of lunch in a Sentence

Recent Examples of lunch from the Web

First Known Use of lunch

Other Food Terms

LUNCH Defined for English Language Learners

lunch

Definition of lunch for English Language Learners

lunch

Definition of lunch for English Language Learners

LUNCH Defined for Kids

lunch

Definition of lunch for Students

lunch

Definition of lunch for Students

Learn More about lunch

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

'Spox' May Go On The Record

Trending: New Joe Ide Novel Causes 'Righteous' Spike

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066