lunch

1 of 2

noun

ˈlənch 

1

: a usually light meal

especially : one taken in the middle of the day

2

: the food prepared for a lunch

see also:

eat someone's lunch out to lunch

lunch

2 of 2

verb

lunched; lunching; lunches

intransitive verb

: to eat lunch

transitive verb

: to treat to lunch

luncher noun

Examples of lunch in a Sentence

Noun

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.

Verb

She often lunches in the park.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The easygoing Mexican brunch, lunch and dinner spot became a Wesley Heights favorite for its authentic tacos, frozen drinks and stewed pork shoulder pozole rojo served with hominy, shredded cabbage, onions and cilantro over fresh tostadas. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026

Don’t be surprised if lunch business comes out of the gate relatively strong. — Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Sep. 2026

Verb

Stock up on Rubbermaid containers to keep leftovers fresh and lunches spill-free, grab our forever-favorite cast-iron skillet from Lodge, or snag cookware for slow roasts, hearty sides, and all the cozy meals ahead. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 2026

Go boutique shopping on Fox Street before lunching at Living Room, a rooftop cafe with city views that are super lekker (cool, in Afrikaans). — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably short for luncheon

First Known Use

Noun

1783, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1811, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing lunch

• bag lunch
• box lunch
• do dinner/lunch
• eat/have someone or something for lunch
• eat someone's lunch
• eat someone's or something's lunch
• free lunch
• lose one's lunch
• lunch box
• lunch break
• lunch-bucket
• lunch counter
• lunch hour
• lunch meat
• out to lunch
• packed lunch
• ploughman's lunch
• pre-lunch
• there is no free lunch
• there is no such thing as a free lunch
• working/business lunch

Rhymes for lunch

• brunch
• bunch
• chinch
• crunch
• hunch
• punch
• keypunch

Kids Definition

lunch

1 of 2 noun

ˈlənch 

1

: a light meal

especially : one eaten in the middle of the day

2

: the food prepared for a lunch

lunch

2 of 2 verb

: to eat or treat to lunch

luncher noun