luncheon

[luhn-chuhn]

noun

1. lunch, especially a formal lunch held in connection with a meeting or other special occasion.

   the alumni luncheon.

luncheon

/ ˈlʌntʃən /

noun

1. a lunch, esp a formal one

Other Word Forms

• luncheonless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of luncheon¹

1570–80; dissimilated variant of nuncheon (now dial.), Middle English none ( s ) chench noon drink, equivalent to none noon + schench, Old English scenc a drink, cup, akin to Old English scencan to pour out, give drink, cognate with Dutch, German schenken

Word History and Origins

Origin of luncheon¹

C16: probably variant of nuncheon, from Middle English noneschench, from none _noon + schench drink

Example Sentences

Dressing like Marie Antoinette to attend a luncheon at Tiffany’s isn’t sassy fashion sense — it’s a cry for help.

From Los Angeles Times

These are the foods of bridge luncheons and afternoon teas, and they sit in my mind not with disdain, but with a kind of distant fondness.

From Salon

In a recent luncheon, a top lawyer for Citadel told leaders of some of the country’s biggest law firms that the hedge-fund company prefers to work with law firms that aren’t afraid of a fight.

From Salon

Or the man he met at a preseason luncheon who told him the home run had prompted him to give up drinking.

From Los Angeles Times

The class photo, a highlight of the film calendar, is usually taken much earlier in awards season, at the nominees luncheon, but that event was cancelled this year due to the LA wildfires.

From BBC

Related Words

• breakfast 
• brunch 
• dessert 
• dinner 
• fare 
• feast 
• lunch 
• picnic 
• refreshment 
• snack 
• supper 
• table 
• tea