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mealtime

American  
[meel-tahym] / ˈmilˌtaɪm /

noun

  • mealtimes
    plural
  1. the usual time for a meal.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of mealtime

First recorded in 1125–75, mealtime is from the Middle English word meeltyme. See meal 1, time


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Call it dystopic or innovative, Prego wants you to cherish — and forever remember — every single mealtime conversation with its limited-edition recording device.

From Salon ● Apr. 27, 2026

Three months ago, he was finally given a new, longer bed, but that causes him to sit up in a position that he says led to a major choking incident one mealtime.

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2025

Ararat employees told state investigators that her family members had been taught about mealtime precautions to prevent the woman from inhaling food, but could not provide written evidence of that training.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 22, 2024

The sessions identified the main challenges to mealtime participation at home.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 15, 2024

Soon after, she decided our nightly mealtime battles just weren’t worth it, and she started to puree my meat and serve it to me with noodles.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

She didn’t like the cold, and group conversations at mealtimes were awkward.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 27, 2026

Kouki said he likes using his phone to watch Japanese baseball highlights, but the family now shuns screens during mealtimes.

From Barron's ● Oct. 10, 2025

If mealtimes with your child sometimes feel more like negotiations than nourishment, you aren't alone.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2025

During mealtimes, they suggest “better communication between the kitchen, staff members and students” when it comes to what food — and how much of it — gets served.

From Salon ● Nov. 18, 2024

Sam would sit at his table at mealtimes and watch Oksi.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

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