food

American  

[food] / fud /

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.

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food British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• foodless adjective
• foodlessness noun
• nonfood noun

Etymology

Origin of food

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

Example Sentences

It is produced by beneficial gut bacteria when they break down tryptophan, an amino acid found in foods like turkey and nuts.

From Science Daily

Those they help receive either a meal or a bag of food to prepare dishes.

From BBC

Many of the birds were only partially eaten or not eaten at all, indicating that the killings were not solely for food.

From Science Daily

Protests have erupted over bugs being found in the detention center's food, W said, while lights are kept on 24 hours a day, making it difficult to sleep.

From Barron's

The joint statement states that India will "eliminate or reduce" tariffs on a "wide range of US food and agricultural products".

From Barron's

Related Words

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