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

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

Mr. Haring compared the venture to a Brookstone and called it his “version of fast food or fast art.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

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

My mother makes us scarf down our food in four minutes, reinforcing the definition of fast food.

From "A Mango-Shaped Space" by Wendy Mass