lunch

lunch · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A meal eaten in the middle of the day.

  2. 2.

    The time at which lunch is eaten.

  3. 3.

    Eat lunch.

Forms

plural: lunches

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lunch break — The time during work allocated for lunch.
  • •
    do lunch — Have lunch together (informal).
  • •
    out to lunch — Absent-minded; crazy (slang).
  • •
    there's no such thing as a free lunch — Nothing is truly free.
  • •
    lunch box / lunch pail — A container for carrying lunch.
  • •
    power lunch — A business lunch.
  • •
    working lunch — Eating while continuing to work.

Related words

See also: breakfast, dinner, eat, luncheon, meal
Synonyms: luncheon, midday meal

Etymology

Shortened from "luncheon" in the early 19th century. "Luncheon" itself is of uncertain origin, possibly from "lunch" (a thick piece, hunk) or from Spanish lonja ("slice of ham"). The midday meal was traditionally called "dinner" in many English-speaking regions.