food

noun

ˈfüd 

often attributive

1

a

: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

also : such food together with supplementary substances (such as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)

drought victims who don't have enough food to eat

b

: inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution

2

: nutriment in solid form

She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.

3

: something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies

food for thought

Books were his mental food.

foodless

ˈfüd-ləs 

adjective

foodlessness noun

Synonyms

• bread
• chow
• chuck [chiefly West]
• comestibles
• eatables
• eats
• edibles
• fare
• foodstuffs
• grub
• meat
• provender
• provisions
• table
• tucker [chiefly Australian]
• viands
• victuals
• vittles

Examples of food in a Sentence

a farmer who grows his own food

drought victims who don't have enough food to eat

She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.

What is your favorite food?

fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods

Recent Examples on the Web

This would be a great first or last stop on the crawl, because coffee, food and cocktail options abound. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2024

The landmark West Coast music festival features 65 restaurants and bars as well as food and artist collaborations. —Melinda Sheckells, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Apr. 2024

Since then, he’s introduced two additional books, one on fashion, the other on food, and now, his fourth arrives on April 16: The Selby Comes Home. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 12 Apr. 2024

Yes, there will be a food and beverage area with some seating. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2024

Coachella's food scene is almost as exciting as the actual lineup. —Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024

And in the case of food establishments, like most sports, the first line of defense are the players in the game, which are the industry that produces the products. —USA TODAY, 12 Apr. 2024

The United Nations has warned that over 1 million hungry Haitians, many of them children, are on the brink of famine as the seaport and airport remain closed, food prices skyrocket and aid distributions are disrupted by heavy gunfire. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 12 Apr. 2024

The value of Myanmar’s local currency, the kyat, has plummeted, along with rising costs for food and other basic necessities. —Helen Regan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fode, from Old English fōda; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder, Latin panis bread, pascere to feed

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing food

• angel food cake
• comfort food
• devil's food cake
• fast-food
• finger food
• food bank
• food-borne
• food chain
• food coma
• food court
• food desert
• food fight
• food for thought
• food insecure
• food insecurity
• food pantry
• food poisoning
• food processor
• food pyramid
• food secure
• food stamp
• food truck
• food vacuole
• food web
• functional food
• health food
• junk food
• natural food
• plant food
• play with one's food
• soul food
• street food
• whole food

Kids Definition

food

noun

ˈfüd 

1

: material containing or consisting of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins used in the body of an animal to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

also : such material together with extra substances (as vitamins and minerals)

2

a

: organic substances taken in by green plants and used to build organic nutrients

b

: organic material produced by green plants and used by them as building material and as a source of energy

3

: nourishment in solid form

4

: something that nourishes, supports, or supplies

food for thought

Medical Definition

food

noun

ˈfüd 

often attributive

1

: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

also : such material together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)

2

: nutriment in solid form