meat

[meet]

noun

1. the flesh of animals as used for food: in particular, mammals, especially livestock and game, and often including poultry and game birds.

2. the edible part of anything, as a fruit or nut.

   Crack the walnuts and remove the meats.

3. the essential point or part of an argument, literary work, etc.; gist; crux.

   The meat of the play is the jealousy between the two brothers.

4. solid food.

   meat and drink.

5. solid or substantial content; pith.

   The article was full of meat, with few wasted words.

6. a favorite occupation, activity, etc..

   Chess is his meat.

7. Chiefly South Midland and Southern U.S.,  pork, especially bacon.

8. Slang: Vulgar.,  penis.

9. Archaic.,  the principal meal.

   to say grace before meat.

meat

/ miːt /

noun

1. the flesh of mammals used as food, as distinguished from that of birds and fish

2. anything edible, esp flesh with the texture of meat

   crab meat

3. food, as opposed to drink

4. the essence or gist

5. an archaic word for meal 1

6. a source of pleasure

7. informal,  to lose nothing because one's offer is not accepted

Other Word Forms

• meatless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meat¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English mete, met, methe “food, nourishment, sustenance,” Old English mete, mett, “food,” cognate with Old High German maz, Old Norse matr, Gothic mats

Word History and Origins

Origin of meat¹

Old English mete; related to Old High German maz food, Old Saxon meti, Gothic mats

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. piece of meat,

   1. a person regarded merely as a sex object.

      Years after winning a beauty pageant, she denounced the competition, saying she’d been crowned the judges’ favorite piece of meat.

   2. a person, as a prizefighter or laborer, regarded merely as a strong or useful physical specimen.

      The trainer never apologized for referring to his boxers as pieces of meat—if you made it to the top, he’d start calling you “Kid.”

More idioms and phrases containing meat

• beat the meat
• one's man's meat is another man's poison

Example Sentences

“Yes, animals are sometimes offered to the orishas. But it’s done prayerfully, with care. The meat is almost always prepared and shared with the community.”

From Los Angeles Times

I think that I should be so lucky to experience a down-to-the-studs transformation as someone whose job it is to get close to the meat of life and talk about what that was like.

From Los Angeles Times

She also found that chimps hunted prey, ate meat, and were capable of a range of emotions and behaviors similar to those of humans, including filial love, grief and violence bordering on warfare.

From Los Angeles Times

If you’re lucky, you might also catch them grilling kushiyaki, skewers of meat and vegetables that add a smoky flourish to your meal.

From Salon

Creamy, sweet and packed with umami, this cheese is absolutely delectable crumbled in your favorite salads and paired with fresh fruits and preserved meats.

From Salon

Related Words

• food 
• foodstuff