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

Let me slide two identical batches of granola across the breakfast nook toward you—a cheeky little mix that smells like maple syrup, toasted almonds, and nutty puffed rice.

From Salon

Joining as part of its production team in 2009, Nick moved into presenting the early breakfast show a year later.

From BBC

We were treated to weeks of entertaining chaos from Sandoval — once he stopped sweating profusely at the breakfast table.

From Los Angeles Times

I was like, Maybe we go to Tower Bar, and if it doesn’t happen we just get breakfast — try to treat the day normally.

From Los Angeles Times

"We normally have a fry-up for breakfast but, when you guys are here, we need to make an effort," he jokes.

From BBC

Related Words

• brunch