dinner

American  

[din-er] / ˈdɪn ər /

noun

1. the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday.

2. a formal meal in honor of some person or occasion.

3. table d'hôte.

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dinner British  

/ ˈdɪnə /

noun

1. a meal taken in the evening

2. a meal taken at midday, esp when it is the main meal of the day; lunch

3. 1. a formal evening meal, as of a club, society, etc

   2. a public banquet in honour of someone or something

4. a complete meal at a fixed price in a restaurant; table d'hôte

5. (modifier) of, relating to, or used at dinner

   dinner plate

   dinner table

   dinner hour

6. informal (usually passive) to do for, overpower, or outdo

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Other Word Forms

• dinnerless adjective
• predinner noun

Etymology

Origin of dinner

1250–1300; Middle English diner < Old French disner (noun use of v.); dine

Example Sentences

At dinner in Santa Fe, N.M., we received a call from the resort where we were staying.

From The Wall Street Journal

A month later, I had dinner with a university professor who told me he had a GPU – a powerful computer processor used to drive AI – under his desk.

From BBC

I believe it means the Pickled Onion owes me a few ginger ales and perhaps a chicken dinner for my suffering.

From Literature

Ironworks has two restaurants on the property: Provision, where you can enjoy steaks and seafood, soups, and salads for dinner, and Rize, a breakfast/lunch restaurant on the main floor with all the classics.

From Salon

Restaurants and dinner hosts could make meals more enjoyable and cut down on social discomfort by ensuring everyone at the table is served at the same time, according to new research.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• banquet
• feast
• supper