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.

---

fast-food ² American  

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

adjective

1. of or specializing in fast food.

---

fast food British  

noun

1. food that requires little preparation before being served

---

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

Famously, PDT is accessed via a phone booth which sits in the brightly lit Crif Dogs fast food joint next door.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

This has pushed value-conscious customers to cut back on fast food and cook more at home.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The original location gave birth to drive-thru ordering, and revolutionized fast food culture in the state.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

For instance, traps near campsites were disguised with trash and fast food.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

A school bus is a fast food joint with extra value and no food.

From "Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds