dessert
Americannoun
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cake, pie, fruit, pudding, ice cream, etc., served as the final course of a meal.
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British. a serving of fresh fruit after the main course of a meal.
noun
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the sweet, usually last course of a meal
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(esp formerly) fruit, dates, nuts, etc, served at the end of a meal
Etymology
Origin of dessert
First recorded in 1780–90; from French, derivative of desservir “to remove what was served, clear the table,” from Old French, from des- dis- 1 + servir “to serve” ( serve )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Oh, let’s not forget a generous slice of “Díaz Delight” for dessert.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026
When you assemble the dessert into bowls and start dappling each island with caramel and toasted sliced almonds, your friends will begin to hover.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026
As usual, dessert will be accompanied by thousands of golden chocolate statuettes, ensuring everyone can take an Oscar home.
From Barron's • Mar. 11, 2026
Suddenly, it’s a nut dessert with a brownie supporting role.
From Salon • Mar. 5, 2026
Huge waiters in white coats carried trays of the dessert course, shoulder-high.
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
