eating
Americannoun
-
the act of a person or thing that eats.
-
food with reference to its quality or tastiness when eaten.
This fish is delicious eating.
adjective
-
used in eating.
They brought out plates and eating utensils for dinner.
-
good or fit to eat, especially raw.
A sweet, crisp Gala is the perfect eating apple for a summer salad.
noun
adjective
-
relating to or suitable for eating, esp uncooked
eating pears
-
relating to or for eating
an eating house
Other Word Forms
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
Explanation
Eating is the act of consuming food. It would be nice to have lunch in the library instead of the cafeteria — but unfortunately, they don't allow any eating in there. The process of taking food in through your mouth — biting, chewing, tasting, swallowing — is eating. Figuratively, eating can also mean "wasting or destroying," the way rust consumes metal or anxiety gradually destroys a person's mental health. As an adjective, eating means "used for consuming," as in a set of eating utensils, complete with a spoon, fork, and knife. The Germanic etan, "consume or devour," is the root of eating.
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.
"For example, if someone usually snacks while watching TV, simply turning the TV on may make them feel like eating."
From BBC ● Nov. 6, 2026
That momentarily buoyed investors’ hopes that inflation eating into Americans’ paychecks would ease.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026
The cans suggest simply heating and eating, which I wholeheartedly endorse.
From Salon ● Nov. 5, 2026
Ippolito’s natural build is more slender than Stallone’s for Rocky, so he started training hard with weights, eating a ton of protein-rich meals and boxing for roughly 18 months before production began.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026
Once Dad and I finish eating, Brie flags down the waitress to say we’re ready for dessert.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
