food

[food]

noun

1. any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth, etc.

   Synonyms: menu, diet, meat, sustenance, bread, aliment, nutriment

2. more or less solid nourishment, as distinguished from liquids.

3. a particular kind of solid nourishment.

   a breakfast food; dog food.

4. whatever supplies nourishment to organisms.

   plant food.

5. anything serving for consumption or use.

   food for thought.

food

/ fuːd /

noun

1. any substance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized into energy and body tissue

2. nourishment in more or less solid form as opposed to liquid form

   food and drink

3. anything that provides mental nourishment or stimulus

   food for thought

Other Word Forms

• foodless adjective
• foodlessness noun
• nonfood noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of food¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fode, Old English fōda; compare Old English fēdan, Gothic fōdjan feed; fodder ( def. ), foster

Word History and Origins

Origin of food¹

Old English fōda ; related to Old Frisian fōdia to nourish, feed, Old Norse fœthi , Gothic fōdeins food; see _feed , _fodder

Synonym Study

Food, fare, provisions, ration(s) all refer to nutriment. Food is the general word: Breakfast foods have become very popular. Many animals prefer grass as food. Fare refers to the whole range of foods that may nourish a person or animal: an extensive bill of fare; The fare of some animals is limited in range. Provisions is applied to a store or stock of necessary things, especially food, prepared beforehand: provisions for a journey. Ration implies an allotment or allowance of provisions: a daily ration for each man of a company. Rations often means food in general: to be on short rations.

Example Sentences

With full access, WFP, a UN agency, said it intended to restore its regular food distribution system, boosting aid through 145 distribution points across Gaza.

Read more on BBC

That’s when the lines start forming — not at the seafood stands, but at the food banks.

Read more on Salon

Ever since McDonald’s Corp. relaunched its popular Monopoly game this past Monday, customers have likely been sizing up their odds to win a range of prizes — from free food to $1 million in cash.

Read more on MarketWatch

Hunger and disease has spread across the city as residents contend with constant bombardment and dwindling food and medical supplies.

Read more on BBC

She has added a second major in sociology while holding down a part-time job helping students with food, housing and finances, plus other gigs around the campus.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• bread 
• cooking 
• cuisine 
• drink 
• fare 
• feed 
• foodstuff 
• meal 
• meat 
• snack