munched; munching; munches

transitive verb

: to eat with a chewing action
many a mouthful is munched in privateWashington Irving
also : to snack on
drank coffee and munched homemade cookies Lady Bird Johnson

intransitive verb

: to eat or chew something
also : snack
usually used with on
muncher noun

Examples of munch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Inside the space on Sunday, customers munched on french fries and worked on laptops as a barista slung espresso drinks behind a counter and the Puppy Bowl aired on a TV. Marisa Iati, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024 The menagerie, which also included a miniature pony, munched amid the roadway median while firefighters fought the blaze. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 The person who knows everything that is happening behind the scenes on Broadway will not be spotted sipping on a spirit at Sardi’s or munching on a meal at Joe Allen. Marc Hershberg, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Teeming with life, the preserve lets hikers admire vast meadows and tall oak trees, a pond with water fowl and even cows munching on grass alongside the roughly 3-mile loop trail. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Feb. 2024 The show cuts to the money shots of modern-day killer whales, great whites and saltwater crocs munching their prey as an illustration of how the pliosaurs might have dined. William Booth, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2024 The list is far from complete, scientists caution, because in many cases of predation, especially with insects and other invertebrates, the species the cat was munching on could not be identified. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023 Drinks flowed throughout the celebration and with Dunkin’ as a sponsor, guests munched on a variety of doughnuts on an outdoor patio. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Feb. 2024 Between meet and greets and autograph signings with Brown, Eddie Murray, Herman Moore, and Tim Walton, attendees can munch on some of Detroit's favorite eats at no additional cost: hot dogs, chips, and soda. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 10 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'munch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English monchen, probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of munch was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near munch

Cite this Entry

“Munch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/munch. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

munch

verb
: to eat with a chewing action
also : to snack on
munched popcorn and watched a movie
muncher noun

Biographical Definition

Munch 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Charles 1891–1968 Alsatian-born conductor

Munch

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Edvard 1863–1944 Norwegian painter

More from Merriam-Webster on munch

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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