menu

American  

[men-yoo] / ˈmɛn yu /

noun

1. 1. a list of the dishes that can be ordered in a restaurant or that will be served at a formal meal; bill of fare.

      Ask the waiter for a menu.

   2. the dishes themselves.

      First on the menu was a delicious broccoli soup.

2. any list or set of items, activities, etc., from which to choose.

   What's on the menu this weekend—golf, tennis, swimming?

3. Digital Technology. a list of options available to a user, as displayed on a screen or listed in a recorded telephone greeting.

   From the main menu at the top of the window, select Tools and then Internet Options.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make available for ordering at a restaurant.

   There will be one entrée and one salad menued each day.

   Some casual restaurants have begun menuing alcoholic beverages.

menu British  

/ ˈmɛnjuː /

noun

1. a list of dishes served at a meal or that can be ordered in a restaurant

2. a list of options displayed on a visual display unit from which the operator selects an action to be carried out by positioning the cursor or by depressing the appropriate key

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Other Word Forms

• menued adjective
• menuing noun

Etymology

Origin of menu

First recorded in 1650–60; from French: “detailed list,” noun use of menu “small, detailed,” from Latin minūtus minute ²

Example Sentences

In 2026, the menu and guest list will look different but the Queen's message back then will resonate this time around too.

From BBC

Max asked as he studied the big menu board.

From Literature

“If you like it, I’ll add it to the bakery’s baking list as a regular item. We need more gluten-free options on our menu.”

From Literature

Many restaurants raised prices or removed menu items in response.

From MarketWatch

Here, he discusses “The Pitt,” his best advice for aspiring chefs and rethinking menus for the Ozempic era.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• card
• cuisine
• food
• table