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
The centers often hosted political rallies, dances and potlucks, and some even helped community members prepare for the U.S. citizenship test.
—
Michael C. Bender, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
The end result is a fudgy treat that is great for potluck or picnics where a messy frosting could get in the way.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024
Dear Miss Manners: My husband and I disagree on the appropriate protocol when attending a neighborhood social event not specifically described as a potluck.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
This year my contributions to the football potluck will be on the healthier side.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Get The Recipe 11 of 23 Caramel Buttercream Top your caramel cake with a buttercream (steps 5-6) rather than an average frosting and everyone at the potluck will be asking for your recipe.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
Best of all, it can be made up ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake, making weeknight family dinners, meal trains, potlucks — or, in my case tonight, hosting a last-minute letter writing party for upcoming elections — a total breeze.
—Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024
There are few foods in this world more satisfying than classic macaroni and cheese; a plate full of warm mac & cheese often makes an appearance at every Southern holiday, family reunion, and church potluck.
—Jorie Nicole McDonald, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2024
Friends and family joined him for a potluck spread that included brisket and chicken.
—Detroit Free Press, 15 Jan. 2024
Michael C. Bender, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024
The end result is a fudgy treat that is great for potluck or picnics where a messy frosting could get in the way.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 23 Feb. 2024
Dear Miss Manners: My husband and I disagree on the appropriate protocol when attending a neighborhood social event not specifically described as a potluck.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024
This year my contributions to the football potluck will be on the healthier side.
—Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 25 Feb. 2024
Get The Recipe 11 of 23 Caramel Buttercream Top your caramel cake with a buttercream (steps 5-6) rather than an average frosting and everyone at the potluck will be asking for your recipe.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Feb. 2024
Best of all, it can be made up ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake, making weeknight family dinners, meal trains, potlucks — or, in my case tonight, hosting a last-minute letter writing party for upcoming elections — a total breeze.
—Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2024
There are few foods in this world more satisfying than classic macaroni and cheese; a plate full of warm mac & cheese often makes an appearance at every Southern holiday, family reunion, and church potluck.
—Jorie Nicole McDonald, Southern Living, 2 Feb. 2024
Friends and family joined him for a potluck spread that included brisket and chicken.
—Detroit Free Press, 15 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'potluck.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Potluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potluck. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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