breakfast

American  

[brek-fuhst] / ˈbrɛk fəst /

noun

1. the first meal of the day; morning meal.

   A hearty breakfast was served at 7 a.m.

2. the food eaten at the first meal of the day.

   a breakfast of bacon and eggs.

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verb (used without object)

1. to eat breakfast.

   He breakfasted on bacon and eggs.

verb (used with object)

1. to supply with breakfast.

   We breakfasted the author in the finest restaurant.

breakfast British  

/ ˈbrɛkfəst /

noun

1. 1. the first meal of the day

   2. ( as modifier )

      breakfast cereal

      a breakfast room

2. the food at this meal

3. (in the Caribbean) a midday meal

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verb

1. to eat or supply with breakfast

Other Word Forms

• breakfaster noun
• breakfastless adjective
• postbreakfast adjective

Etymology

Origin of breakfast

First recorded in 1425–75, breakfast is from the late Middle English word brekfast. See break, fast ²

Example Sentences

A pledge to provide free school breakfasts and meals to every primary school pupil in Scotland is now limited to P1-P5 - with a targeted offering for older pupils based on need.

From BBC

Flagship shows such as the 7.30 evening current affairs programme and its breakfast shows on Thursday will not go ahead, with reruns, pre-programmed shows and BBC content to plug the gap.

From BBC

A "full breakfast with rice" was now a luxury to be enjoyed on only top earning days, he said.

From Barron's

At her home in a Havana suburb, Indira Martínez, who is seven months pregnant, has not been able to cook breakfast – or even make a cup of warm milky coffee – for days.

From BBC

Jorginho alleged that, after the girl sat down, a “large security guard” came over and interrupted their breakfast to generally make their lives miserable.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brunch