meat

noun

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\ ˈmēt

Definition of meat

1a : food especially : solid food as distinguished from drink

b : the edible part of something as distinguished from its covering (such as a husk or shell)

2 : animal tissue considered especially as food:

a : flesh sense 2b also : flesh of a mammal as opposed to fowl or fish

b : flesh sense 1a specifically : flesh of domesticated animals

3 archaic : meal entry 1 sense 1 especially : dinner

4a : the core of something : heart

b : pith sense 2b a novel with meat

5 : favorite pursuit or interest

Other Words from meat Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about meat

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Examples of meat in a Sentence

The restaurant serves a variety of meats. The real meat of the book is found in its discussion of his economic plan.

Recent Examples on the Web The unadorned top was a layer of pasta brushed with olive oil that turned golden and crisp in the oven; the wild meat was gamey and smoky. — BostonGlobe.com, "Recipe: No pasta, or red sauce in this roasted eggplant ‘lasagna’," 6 Apr. 2021 Cook until almost all of the liquid has evaporated, the bottom of the pot is mostly rendered fat and residual mustard marinade, the pork is golden brown and the meat is tender, about 30 minutes (about 2½ hours cooking time total). — Christian Reynoso, San Francisco Chronicle, "Have a taste of spring with this bright, herbaceous pork shoulder," 2 Apr. 2021 Add the lamb and cook, turning every 6 to 8 minutes or so, until the meat is evenly golden brown all over, about 20 minutes total. — Tribune News Service, cleveland, "An Easter feast as tribute to the best of spring," 1 Apr. 2021 The meat is succulent, fatty and fortifying and almost melts into the crisp shell. — Jenn Harris Columnist, Los Angeles Times, "This L.A. food trailer is making perfect, golden flautas," 28 Mar. 2021 Fruits and vegetables were scarce, and meat was mysterious. — Valerie Boyd, Bon Appétit, "How Black Panthers Fed Their Communities—For Free," 23 Mar. 2021 Ricketts said meat is a nutritious, protein-rich food source and noted that beef production is Nebraska’s largest industry. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, "Emissions enigma, mask scofflaw’s dare, Ammon Bundy saga: News from around our 50 states," 16 Mar. 2021 When cutting against the grain, the meat will be easier to chew. — Kellie Speed, chicagotribune.com, "How to cook corned beef brisket in a slow cooker," 13 Mar. 2021 For sandwiches, slice as thin as possible when the meat is cold. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "It's time for corned beef: Three super easy ways to prepare it," 13 Mar. 2021

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

History and Etymology for meat

Middle English mete "food, meal," going back to Old English, going back to Germanic *mati- (whence Old Saxon meti, mat "food," Old High German maz, Old Norse matr, Gothic mats), perhaps going back to Indo-European *mod-i-, derivative of a verbal base *med- "become full," whence Greek mestós "full, satiated"

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