whole food

noun

: a natural food and especially an unprocessed one (such as a vegetable or fruit)

Examples of whole food in a Sentence

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.
Aim to include whole foods with protein in each meal to hit your daily needs. Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 May 2026 Fiber-rich whole foods feed the bacteria that fermented foods help introduce. Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 20 May 2026 Why daily synbiotic meals matter for gut health Experts tend to agree that whole foods should always come before supplements whenever possible. Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2026 Focus on whole foods The best place to get fiber is from plant foods. Maria Godoy, NPR, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for whole food

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whole food was in 1880

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Whole food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whole%20food. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Medical Definition

whole food

noun
: a natural food and especially an unprocessed one (as a vegetable or fruit)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster