meal

1 of 3

noun (1)

ˈmēl 

1

: an act or the time of eating a portion of food to satisfy appetite

2

: the portion of food eaten at a meal

meal

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: the usually coarsely ground and unbolted seeds of a cereal grass or pulse

especially : cornmeal

2

: a product resembling seed meal especially in particle size or texture

-meal

3 of 3

adverb combining form

: by a (specified) portion or measure at a time

piecemeal

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• chow
• feed
• menu
• mess
• refection
• repast
• table

Examples of meal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Get one quick recipe in your inbox Monday through Thursday to inspire delicious meals. —Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 27 Sep. 2023

La Lanterna di Vittorio The singer stopped by this Greenwich Village cafe with pal Todrick Hall for a mouthwatering Italian meal. —People Staff, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023

Fun gingerbread cookie toppers help create a snowy winter scene. 09 White Chocolate Panna Cotta with Dark Chocolate Sauce These creamy individual desserts need to be made ahead, giving you time to focus on the holiday meal. —Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023

It’s been over three years since many restaurants closed their doors and customers opted to eat more meals at home because of the Covid pandemic. —Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023

Families would gather in this often small room and spend the day preparing meals, sewing, or doing other household chores. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Sep. 2023

Linda immediately asks for a meal of chicken with peppers, which reminds her of the dish her father used to make. —Mckinley Franklin, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023

Additionally, the district will offer Friday meal programs and educational enrichment opportunities at select schools. —Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Sep. 2023

Chef Vincent Maillard trained under Alain Ducasse, so the meals are delicious and satisfying while being customizable to guests’ metabolic needs. —Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English meel appointed time, meal, from Old English mǣl; akin to Old High German māl time, Latin metiri to measure — more at measure

Noun (2)

Middle English mele, from Old English melu; akin to Old High German melo meal, Latin molere to grind, Greek mylē mill

Adverb combining form

Middle English -mele, from Old English -mǣlum, from mǣlum, dative plural of mǣl

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing meal

• fish meal
• matzo meal
• make a meal (out) of
• Indian meal
• meal ticket
• square meal
• midday meal
• pre-meal
• a meal in itself

• fish meal
• matzo meal
• make a meal (out) of
• Indian meal
• meal ticket
• square meal
• midday meal
• pre-meal
• a meal in itself

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Kids Definition

meal

1 of 2 noun

ˈmēl 

1

: the food eaten or prepared for eating at one time

2

: the act or time of eating a meal

meal

2 of 2 noun

1

: ground seeds of a cereal grass

especially : cornmeal

2

: something like meal especially in texture

Etymology

Noun

Old English mæl "appointed time, meal"

Noun

Old English melu "ground grain"

Medical Definition

meal

noun

ˈmē(ə)l 

: the portion of food taken at one time to satisfy appetite