power lunch

American  

[pou-er luhnch] / ˈpaʊ ər ˌlʌntʃ /

noun

1. a business meeting held while eating lunch, especially one attended by powerful people.

   The restaurant was the scene of countless power lunches and celebrity date nights.

2. a lunch intended to keep one energized and full for a busy afternoon.

   Our latest recipe card features five easy power lunches that supply fuel for the whole afternoon.

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verb (used without object)

1. to attend a business meeting held while eating lunch, especially one attended by powerful people.

   Who wants to be a producer who power lunches and talks on the phone all day?

power lunch British  

noun

1. a high-powered business meeting conducted over lunch

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Etymology

Origin of power lunch

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

New York’s new power lunch spot is on the 37th floor of a Midtown Manhattan office building.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Few people understand the power lunch better than Ashok Bajaj.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 20, 2022

The book earned him a column in New York magazine and a regular table at Michael’s, home of the power lunch for the Manhattan media set.

From New York Times • Sep. 12, 2021

Complicated lives lead to complicated new work routines in a business built on personal relationships and the fabled power lunch.

From Slate • Apr. 19, 2020

Gonna have us a power lunch and do us a deal.

From "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles