fast-food

¹ American  

[fast-food, fahst-] / ˈfæstˈfud, ˈfɑst- /

adjective

1. of or specializing in fast food.

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fast food ² American  

noun

1. food, as hamburgers, pizza, or fried chicken, that is prepared in quantity by a standardized method and can be dispensed quickly at inexpensive restaurants for eating there or elsewhere.

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fast food British  

noun

1. food that requires little preparation before being served

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adjective

1. (of a restaurant, café, etc) serving such food

Usage

​What does fast food mean?​ Fast food is food quickly prepared and served, often at chain restaurants and typically associated with less expensive and less nutritious items like hamburgers, french fries, and soft drinks.

Etymology

Origin of fast-food¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Origin of fast food¹

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

Backed by billions in investments, companies are testing aerial drones and wheeled robotic couriers to deliver fried chicken, poke bowls and other fast food to customers in several U.S. cities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Today, that lesson is spreading beyond fast food.

From MarketWatch

The exchange arrived in Season1, Episode 2, as Meghan detailed how she grew up as an average American latchkey kid who ate a lot of fast food.

From Los Angeles Times

That meant eating mostly fast food for days and sleeping on the floor of his friend’s office on a used mattress he bought for 80 euros, equivalent to $94.

From The Wall Street Journal

Listen to Jamie Oliver Petrol Station: The only song of 2025 to address the need for tolerance through the prism of service station fast food.

From BBC