food

[food]

noun

1. any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth, etc.

   Synonyms: menu, diet, meat, sustenance, bread, aliment, nutriment

2. more or less solid nourishment, as distinguished from liquids.

3. a particular kind of solid nourishment.

   a breakfast food; dog food.

4. whatever supplies nourishment to organisms.

   plant food.

5. anything serving for consumption or use.

   food for thought.

food

/ fuːd /

noun

1. any substance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized into energy and body tissue

2. nourishment in more or less solid form as opposed to liquid form

   food and drink

3. anything that provides mental nourishment or stimulus

   food for thought

Other Word Forms

• foodless adjective
• foodlessness noun
• nonfood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of food¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fode, Old English fōda; compare Old English fēdan, Gothic fōdjan feed; fodder ( def. ), foster

Word History and Origins

Origin of food¹

Old English fōda ; related to Old Frisian fōdia to nourish, feed, Old Norse fœthi , Gothic fōdeins food; see _feed , _fodder

Synonym Study

Food, fare, provisions, ration(s) all refer to nutriment. Food is the general word: Breakfast foods have become very popular. Many animals prefer grass as food. Fare refers to the whole range of foods that may nourish a person or animal: an extensive bill of fare; The fare of some animals is limited in range. Provisions is applied to a store or stock of necessary things, especially food, prepared beforehand: provisions for a journey. Ration implies an allotment or allowance of provisions: a daily ration for each man of a company. Rations often means food in general: to be on short rations.

Example Sentences

They helped Montgomery settle on a rock in the sun to warm up, gave him food and electrolytes the Scouts had donated from their supplies and used their Garmin satellite system to summon help.

From Los Angeles Times

"Both sides have deliberately targeted civilians through attacks, summary executions, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhuman treatment in detention facilities, including denial of food, sanitation, and medical care," said Fact-Finding Mission chair, Mohamed Chande Othman.

From BBC

The young couple fall into lust, then love, over beers in a Latin American cowboy bar, Uyghur street food and then in a shabby basement apartment.

From Los Angeles Times

The challenges of government are nothing compared to the challenge of putting food on the table and getting a roof over our head when I brought up kids working as a home help.

From BBC

On Saturdays and Sundays, their café, Café Escondido, is open, serving delicious coffee drinks, Mexican food and margaritas.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bread 
• cooking 
• cuisine 
• drink 
• fare 
• feed 
• foodstuff 
• meal 
• meat 
• snack