meals on wheels

American  

noun

(sometimes initial capital letter)

1. a program, usually one supported or subsidized by a charitable, social, or government agency, for delivering hot meals regularly to elderly, disabled, or convalescing persons who are housebound and cannot cook for themselves.

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meals on wheels British  

noun

1. (functioning as singular) social welfare a service, usually subsidized, and run by a social services department or voluntary body, which delivers hot meals to elderly or housebound people who might otherwise be unable to have them

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Etymology

Origin of meals on wheels

First recorded in 1960–65

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

meals on wheels

Aged 82, she had lived in Australia for decades and was honoured in 2022 for delivering kosher meals on wheels for decades, the group said.

From Barron's ● Dec. 17, 2025

Perhaps volunteer work, tutoring kids, meals on wheels, anything other than the pain and anguish of life as an M’s fan?

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 18, 2019

The intrepid Andrew Zimmern roams the land looking for the best deals in meals on wheels in his latest series, “Big Food Truck Tip.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2018

When I go on meals on wheels runs it bring it home to me.

From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2012

Lunch clubs, meals on wheels, old people's homes and sheltered accommodation are all concepts born of their time, but desperately in need of an update.

From The Guardian ● Aug. 6, 2011