fast food

¹ 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 ² American  

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

adjective

1. of or specializing in fast food.

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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-food²

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Example Sentences

The actor, who won for his performance in the vampire-blues film Sinners, stopped by fast food chain In-N-Out Burger after the Hollywood ceremony.

From BBC • Mar. 17, 2026

Previous work has shown that stressed parents are more likely to depend on fast food and less healthy eating habits.

From Science Daily • Mar. 8, 2026

On a visit to Texas on Friday, US President Donald Trump gave a raucous speech on the economy and then stopped off at a fast food joint.

From Barron's • Feb. 28, 2026

Over the following days, the individual visited a few San Gabriel Valley fast food restaurants, potentially exposing others to the measles virus.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

It is a fast food parable about how the industry started and where it can lead.

From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser