meal

meal · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Any of the regular occasions in a day when a reasonably large amount of food is eaten.

  2. 2.

    The food served and eaten on such an occasion.

  3. 3.

    Coarsely ground grain or other foodstuff.

Forms

plural: meals

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    make a meal of — to eat something as a meal; (informal) to treat something as more complicated than necessary
  • •
    square meal — a substantial and satisfying meal
  • •
    meal ticket — a source of income or livelihood

Related words

Antonyms: fast, snack
See also: breakfast, dinner, food, lunch
Synonyms: feast, repast, spread

Etymology

From Old English mǣl ("measure, fixed time, meal"), from Proto-Germanic mēlą ("measure, time"). Related to the concept of a measured or appointed time for eating.