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

You either bring your own food or buy a picnic basket dinner catered by Patina through the Diner en Blanc website, to pick up at the event.

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One couple married in 1880 and had 16 children, 12 of whom lived to attend their parents’ 50th anniversary “basket dinner.”

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It may be found practicable to call a general meeting of the entire neighborhood, inviting old and young possibly to a basket dinner, and there to lay before them the plans of the organizations.

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

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Every year on the first Sunday of September folks come from far and near here to Big Creek and bring their basket dinner.”

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