potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək 

sense 1b also -ˌlək

1

a

: the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made

b

: a communal meal to which people bring food to share

—usually used attributively

a potluck supper

2

: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time

Examples of potluck in a Sentence

He organized a neighborhood potluck for next Saturday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both Republicans and Democrats can be found at weekend car-wash fundraisers or local public library potlucks, and members of both parties say they are exhausted by politics or too busy with multiple jobs to volunteer. — Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Aug. 2026

Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks or easy weekday meals, and easily adaptable with different beans and cheeses. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026

Plus, its 8-quart capacity is perfect for large family meals, gatherings, potlucks, and big batch cooking. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 5 Aug. 2026

In some immigrant enclaves, potlucks were a feature of communal events like barn raisings or fundraisers. — Shoshi Parks, Popular Science, 30 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for potluck

• amok
• amuck
• awestruck
• dumbstruck
• roebuck
• unstuck
• woodchuck
• chuck
• cluck
• duck
• huck
• luck

Kids Definition

potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək 

1

a

: a regular meal for which no special preparations have been made

b

: a meal to which people bring food to share

2

: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time