basket dinner

noun

, Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S.

1. a group social gathering, as of church members, to which participants contribute casseroles or other dishes to share.

Word History and Origins

Origin of basket dinner¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

One Sunday the church announced an all-day meeting and basket dinner in a grove near Peter's house.

From Project Gutenberg

On different days we received a basket dinner, a watermelon feast and an ice cream and cake festival from them.

From Project Gutenberg

At a basket-dinner where he and his friends were drinking he took his last drink.

From Project Gutenberg