diet

[ dahy-it ]

/ ˈdaɪ ɪt /

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See synonyms for: diet / dieting on Thesaurus.com

noun

food and drink considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health: The ad shows milk and dairy as a wholesome part of our daily diet.

a particular selection of food, especially as designed or prescribed to improve a person's physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease: A diet low in sugar is often recommended for diabetes prevention.

a selection of food that emphasizes caloric restriction or otherwise limits the amount a person eats, usually intended to induce weight loss: No pie for me, I'm on a diet.

the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group: The Mediterranean diet consists historically of fish, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.

food or feed habitually eaten or provided: The rabbits were fed a diet of carrots and lettuce.

anything that is habitually provided or partaken of: Television has given us a steady diet of reality shows and police procedurals.

adjective

suitable for consumption as part of a selection of food intended to induce weight loss: I usually drink diet soft drinks.

formulated to be lower in calories, fat, sugar, etc. than a similar food: The diet version of the cookie does taste different.

verb (used without object), di·et·ed, di·et·ing.

to select or limit the food one eats to improve one's physical condition or to lose weight: I've dieted all month and lost only one pound.

to eat or feed according to the requirements of a particular or prescribed selection of food.

verb (used with object), di·et·ed, di·et·ing.

to regulate the food of, especially in order to improve the physical condition: They dieted the dog to a healthy weight of 20 pounds.

to feed.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

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Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of diet

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun diete “day’s journey, appointed day, way of living,” from Anglo-French, Old French diete, from Latin diaeta, from Greek díaita “way of living, diet,” equivalent to dia- dia- + -aita (akin to aîsa “share, lot”; the verb is derivative of the noun

OTHER WORDS FROM diet

di·et·er, nounnon·di·et·er, nounnon·di·et·ing, adjective, noun

Words nearby diet

dies non, die stamping, diester, diestock, diestrus, diet, dietary, dietary fiber, dietary fibre, dietary law, dietary supplement

Other definitions for diet (2 of 2)

diet²

[ dahy-it ]

/ ˈdaɪ ɪt /

noun

the legislative body of certain countries, as Japan.

the general assembly of the estates of the former Holy Roman Empire.

Origin of diet

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin diēta “public assembly,” the same word as Latin diaeta with sense affected by Latin diēs “day”; see diet¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use diet in a sentence

He trains like a professional athlete in any other sport, with early-morning gym sessions, a diet of healthful foods and all-day practice.
An Unlikely Esports Star Emerges From Pakistan|Daniel Malloy|August 21, 2020|Ozy
Rather than revamp the industry, these critics suggest alternatives such as meat-free diets to fulfill our need for protein.
Biotechnology Could Change the Cattle Industry. Will It Succeed?|Dyllan Furness|August 16, 2020|Singularity Hub
In some cases, bacteria could even use these electrons to fuel growth in much the same way that humans use electrons from carbohydrates in the diet for energy.
Scientists stumbled across the first known manganese-fueled bacteria|Carolyn Beans|July 21, 2020|Science News
As a snapshot of the dino’s diet, the gut contents “can tell us more about dinosaur behavior,” Chin says.
Fossil stomach reveals a dinosaur’s last meal|Carolyn Wilke|July 7, 2020|Science News For Students

Some of the data that scientists have about dinosaur diets comes from coprolites.
Fossil stomach reveals a dinosaur’s last meal|Carolyn Wilke|July 7, 2020|Science News For Students
Park employees helped John quit tobacco by way of a butts-proof glass enclosure, a drastic change in diet, and regular exercise.
Zebra Finches, Dolphins, Elephants, and More Animals Under the Influence|Bill Schulz|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was also the grapefruit diet, the cabbage soup diet, and the cookie diet.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still other people have moved away from the word “diet” altogether.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Limbaugh makes comments like this because his right-wing fans require a non–stop diet of race-baiting red meat.
Rush Limbaugh’s Fear of a Black James Bond|Dean Obeidallah|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Butter has always been a healthy part of the diet in almost every culture; butter is a traditional food,” Asprey says.
Bulletproof Coffee and the Case for Butter as a Health Food|DailyBurn|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Excretion of these substances is greatly increased by a diet rich in nuclei, as sweetbreads and liver.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
I'm not enamored of a straight meat diet as a rule, but that evening I was in no mood to carp at anything half-way eatable.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
The stools of infants are yellow, owing partly to their milk diet and partly to the presence of unchanged bilirubin.
A Manual of Clinical Diagnosis|James Campbell Todd
The poor fellow's health so gave way under this meagre diet, that he died before his course of study was finished.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell
"I don't suppose any Frenchman is given to cannibalistic diet," he answered, smiling.
The Doctor of Pimlico|William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for diet (1 of 2)

diet¹

/ (ˈdaɪət) /

noun

a specific allowance or selection of food, esp prescribed to control weight or in disorders in which certain foods are contraindicateda salt-free diet; a 900-calorie diet
(as modifier)a diet bread

the food and drink that a person or animal regularly consumesa diet of nuts and water

regular activities or occupations

verb

(usually intr) to follow or cause to follow a dietary regimen

Derived forms of diet

dieter, noun

Word Origin for diet

C13: from Old French diete, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita mode of living, from diaitan to direct one's own life

British Dictionary definitions for diet (2 of 2)

diet²

/ (ˈdaɪət) /

noun

(sometimes capital) a legislative assembly in various countries, such as Japan

Also called: Reichstag (sometimes capital) the assembly of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire

Scots law

the date fixed by a court for hearing a case
a single session of a court

Word Origin for diet

C15: from Medieval Latin diēta public meeting, probably from Latin diaeta diet 1 but associated with Latin diēs day

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

diet

Origin of diet

OTHER WORDS FROM diet

Words nearby diet

Other definitions for diet (2 of 2)

Origin of diet

Words related to diet

How to use diet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for diet (1 of 2)

Derived forms of diet

Word Origin for diet

British Dictionary definitions for diet (2 of 2)

Word Origin for diet