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.
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines doubled down on whole foods and fiber-rich eating patterns when they were released in January 2026. Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 8 Apr. 2026 Fresh whole foods are also easy to add to plain yogurt. Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2026 Pairing it with whole foods like berries or nuts can add natural sweetness and additional nutrients without causing sharp increases in blood sugar. Lindsey Desoto, Health, 1 Apr. 2026 As part of the pledge, Nicklaus agreed to spend at least 5% of its yearly food and drink budget on nutritious, whole foods from Florida farmers that align with the federal dietary guidelines, with a promise to increase that amount every year by 1% going forward. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 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 17 Apr. 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