dinner

American  

[din-er] / ˈdɪn ər /

noun

1. the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday.

2. a formal meal in honor of some person or occasion.

3. table d'hôte.

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dinner British  

/ ˈdɪnə /

noun

1. a meal taken in the evening

2. a meal taken at midday, esp when it is the main meal of the day; lunch

3. 1. a formal evening meal, as of a club, society, etc

   2. a public banquet in honour of someone or something

4. a complete meal at a fixed price in a restaurant; table d'hôte

5. (modifier) of, relating to, or used at dinner

   dinner plate

   dinner table

   dinner hour

6. informal  (usually passive) to do for, overpower, or outdo

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Other Word Forms

• dinnerless adjective
• predinner noun

Etymology

Origin of dinner

1250–1300; Middle English diner < Old French disner (noun use of v.); dine

Example Sentences

A highlight of such visits is the spectacular state banquet in St George's Hall, where the King and president will make speeches, with celebrity guests enjoying a showcase dinner.

From BBC

It’s not the kind of place you’d expect an NFL coach to request a dinner tutorial from a future Hall of Fame receiver on the finer points of his release technique.

From Los Angeles Times

Getting home and cooking dinner, bathing their children and cleaning.

From Los Angeles Times

Because my weekends often take me east to nurseries, rock yards and quarries, I usually end up at Boston Lobster, my favorite place to eat dinner in Alhambra.

From Los Angeles Times

Investors still digesting their turkey dinners have one more reason to be thankful: a great week for the stock market amid a brutal month.

From Barron's

Related Words

• banquet
• feast
• supper