food

 noun, often attributive

Save Word

To save this word, you'll need to log in.

Log In 

\ ˈfüd  \

Definition of food

1a: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to
sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energyalso : such food together with
supplementary substances (such as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)drought victims who don't have
enough food to eat

b: inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution

2: nutriment in solid formShe gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.

3: something that nourishes, sustains, or suppliesfood for thoughtBooks were his mental food.

Other Words from  foodSynonymsMore Example SentencesLearn More About  food

Other Words from food

foodless \ ˈfüd-ləs  \ adjective

foodlessness noun

Synonyms for food

Synonyms

 bread, 

 chow, 

 chuck 

 [chiefly West], 

 comestibles, 

 eatables, 

 eats, 

 edibles, 
  fare, 

 foodstuffs, 

 grub, 

 meat, 

 provender, 

 provisions, 

 table, 

 tucker 

 [chiefly Australian], 

 viands, 

 victuals, 

 vittles

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Examples of food in a Sentence

 a farmer who grows his own food drought victims who don't have enough food to eat

See More

Recent Examples on the WebPlease support our local vendors by purchasing your food  and drinks on
site.— Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 29 June 2021Energy has jumped a whopping 28.5% in the past
year, while food  is up a little more than 2%.— Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 June 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current
usage of the word 'food.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-
Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of food

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

History and Etymology for food

Middle English fode, from Old English fōda; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder,
Latin panis bread, pascere to feed