food

American  

[food] / fud /

noun

1. any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth, etc.

   Synonyms:

   menu, diet, meat, sustenance, bread, aliment, nutriment

2. more or less solid nourishment, as distinguished from liquids.

3. a particular kind of solid nourishment.

   a breakfast food; dog food.

4. whatever supplies nourishment to organisms.

   plant food.

5. anything serving for consumption or use.

   food for thought.

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food British  

/ fuːd /

noun

1. any substance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized into energy and body tissue

2. nourishment in more or less solid form as opposed to liquid form

   food and drink

3. anything that provides mental nourishment or stimulus

   food for thought

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Related Words

Food, fare, provisions, ration(s) all refer to nutriment. Food is the general word: Breakfast foods have become very popular. Many animals prefer grass as food. Fare refers to the whole range of foods that may nourish a person or animal: an extensive bill of fare; The fare of some animals is limited in range. Provisions is applied to a store or stock of necessary things, especially food, prepared beforehand: provisions for a journey. Ration implies an allotment or allowance of provisions: a daily ration for each man of a company. Rations often means food in general: to be on short rations.

Other Word Forms

• foodless adjective
• foodlessness noun
• nonfood noun

Etymology

Origin of food

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fode, Old English fōda; compare Old English fēdan, Gothic fōdjan feed; fodder ( def. ), foster

Example Sentences

Navratil has said the company’s core businesses—including coffee and pet food—remain strong with potential to grow, but indicated some brands could go.

From The Wall Street Journal

"I have three daughters, the youngest is 14," he told AFP, laying out an impossible choice: "Getting out is expensive and the road is unsafe" but "we're struggling to get enough food and medicine".

From Barron's

More Chinese were traveling the world and encountering international foods, so Sam’s Club sought to create a “treasure hunt” for the upscale shopper.

From The Wall Street Journal

In addition to food, expenses for labor, utilities, rent, insurance and other basics needed to run a restaurant are up, particularly in urban areas, according to the National Restaurant Association trade group.

From The Wall Street Journal

"These mesopelagic fish are doing the hard work of connecting the deep ocean to the surface food web. If we don't understand them, we're basically trying to solve a puzzle with the middle pieces missing."

From Science Daily

Related Words

• bread
• cooking
• cuisine
• drink
• fare
• feed
• foodstuff
• meal
• meat
• snack