potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək How to pronounce potluck (audio)
 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Make the meal a potluck Inviting guests to bring their own dishes to share is an easy and fun way to host a Thanksgiving meal, says Amanda Christensen, an accredited financial counselor and extension professor at Utah State University. Nerdwallet, The Mercury News, 25 Nov. 2024 Off to the sides, there's a table for potluck dishes and an open bar. Robert Benincasa, NPR, 22 Nov. 2024 From gratitude themed PowerPoint presentations and potlucks, crafts and cabinsgiving, Americans are coming up with their own creative traditions. Veronica Bravo, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024 Just super chill, comfy/cozy clothes, potluck style, and no family dramas. Bon Appétit, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for potluck 

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of potluck was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near potluck

Cite this Entry

“Potluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potluck. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

potluck

noun
pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək How to pronounce potluck (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on potluck

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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