power lunch

American  

[pou-er luhnch] / ˈpaʊ ər ˌlʌntʃ /

noun

1. a business meeting held while eating lunch, especially one attended by powerful people.

   The restaurant was the scene of countless power lunches and celebrity date nights.

2. a lunch intended to keep one energized and full for a busy afternoon.

   Our latest recipe card features five easy power lunches that supply fuel for the whole afternoon.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to attend a business meeting held while eating lunch, especially one attended by powerful people.

   Who wants to be a producer who power lunches and talks on the phone all day?

power lunch British  

noun

1. a high-powered business meeting conducted over lunch

---

Etymology

Origin of power lunch

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

New York’s new power lunch spot is on the 37th floor of a Midtown Manhattan office building.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

To my surprise, none of the higher-ups responded with a high-five, a knowing nod in the hallway or an invitation to a power lunch.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2023

Few people understand the power lunch better than Ashok Bajaj.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2022

One data point: a surprised patron of the Midtown power lunch spot Estiatorio Milos in late October reported overhearing Mr. Murdoch politely spelling his name to a hostess who didn’t recognize him.

From New York Times • Nov. 1, 2020

Gonna have us a power lunch and do us a deal.

From "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles