munch

1 of 2

verb

ˈmənch 

munched; munching; munches

transitive verb

: to eat with a chewing action

… many a mouthful is munched in private …

—Washington 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

muncher

2 of 2

noun

munch·​er

ˈmənchə(r)

plural -s

: one that munches

Examples of munch in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

These pests munch gardens, poop in pools, snap at pets and occasionally knock down power lines. — Alex Harris august 25, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

The unnamed species was apparently a victim of a creature known as a Manhunter — not to be confused with the cartoons’ friendly, green, Oreo-munching Martian Manhunter. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 24 Aug. 2026

Invite Wildlife While not all wildlife is beneficial for gardens (like deer and rabbits that munch on plants), fall is the perfect time to watch birds migrate and get ready for the upcoming winter. — Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Aug. 2026

Others munched on popcorn and hot dogs covered with sweet corn relish and corn-bacon jam in anticipation of the game. — Dan Hayes, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English monchen, probably of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for munch

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

Kids Definition

munch

verb

ˈmənch 

: 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)

ˈmᵫnch 

ˈmu̇nch

Charles 1891–1968 Alsatian-born conductor

Munch

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

ˈmu̇ŋk 

Edvard 1863–1944 Norwegian painter