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

And a centenary dinner in March, expected to be attended by celebrities and public figures, will be another moment to rally support.

From BBC

Ahead of a working dinner, the Japanese PM said that Sir Keir "looked well", adding she had been invited to his Chequers country estate later this year.

From BBC

Somewhere along the way, dinner became a quiet referendum on effort, creativity, even care.

From Salon

“I was eating dinner when people suddenly started running out of the compound. I immediately went to get my clothes and followed them,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal

On St. Barts, getting a dinner reservations at, say, Bonito or Tamarin, often requires calling weeks, or even months, in advance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• banquet
• feast
• supper