meal

1 of 3

noun (1)

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

Examples of meal in a Sentence

Noun (1) all she wants to do is sit quietly after the large Thanksgiving meal
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Dining here is part culinary experience, part living history—waterfront meals served with side views of boats, seals, and whales cruising by. Taryn White, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025 In one study, adults who took a vitamin D supplement with a fat-containing meal had a 32% higher absorption rate than adults who took vitamin D with a fat-free meal.6 Zinc: Research shows that zinc supplementation may increase vitamin D levels, reducing the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 20 June 2025 College students, overtired professionals, parents seeking quick and easy meals for their kids, and anyone looking for a satisfying meal with minimal effort can find something to suit them in the Trader Joe’s freezers. Taylor Tobin, Southern Living, 20 June 2025 At least two or three times a week, Terry can count on a warm meal at the Nourish KC Community Kitchen, which serves 500 people daily. Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 20 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for meal

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of meal was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meal. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

meal

1 of 2 noun
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
: the portion of food taken at one time to satisfy appetite

More from Merriam-Webster on meal

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