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

She's hosted breakfast shows before - between 2000 and 2003 she was the host of Radio 1's breakfast show and since 2012 has been one of the stand-in presenters for Radio 2's show.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

It doubles as an elevated breakfast or a perfect dessert.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

If he moved to Radio 2, this would follow a well-worn path previously trodden by Chris Evans and Zoe Ball, who hosted its breakfast show having previously done the same for Radio 1.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Mills, who took over the breakfast show on Radio 2 from Zoe Ball in January 2025, has worked for the BBC for more than 25 years.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

His eyes flutter open when I put his breakfast of dry toast and coffee on the table beside him.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Related Words

• brunch