eating

American  

[ee-ting] / ˈi tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that eats.

2. food with reference to its quality or tastiness when eaten.

   This fish is delicious eating.

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adjective

1. used in eating.

   They brought out plates and eating utensils for dinner.

2. good or fit to eat, especially raw.

   A sweet, crisp Gala is the perfect eating apple for a summer salad.

eating British  

/ ˈiːtɪŋ /

noun

1. food, esp in relation to its quality or taste

   this fruit makes excellent eating

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adjective

1. relating to or suitable for eating, esp uncooked

   eating pears

2. relating to or for eating

   an eating house

Other Word Forms

• uneating adjective

Etymology

Origin of eating

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English; eat ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun senses; eat ( def. ) + -ing ² for the adjective senses

Example Sentences

In dealing with the serious topic of bulimia, Early was careful never to make the eating disorder the joke.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Meet Mick Cronin’s nightmare, a 7-foot-3 indictment of his embattled program, a monumental mistake that has spent three weeks eating at the heart of even the most dedicated Bruin loyalists.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Veteran staff photographer Steve Mellon recalls seeing William sitting at lunch with his print crew, eating a cheese sandwich with tomato soup.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

TMZ, which has been hunting politicians during the congressional recess, spotted Graham eating a resort breakfast, walking around with a bubble wand, and getting on Space Mountain.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Holding the apple in his paw about like I would if I were eating one, he opened his huge mouth, took one bite, and tossed what was left to the little monkeys.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• chewing
• consumption
• dining