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

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

She always seemed to need to use an asthma inhaler on Wednesdays – the day she spent hours in her car, delivering steaming-hot dinners for meals on wheels.

From The Guardian • Dec. 11, 2018

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

In Powys, vehicles supplied by Brecon Beacons National Park and Alun Griffiths Contractors are being used to transport council care workers around and deliver meals on wheels.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2010