diet

¹

[ dahy-it ]

noun

1. food and drink considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and its effects on health:

   The ad shows milk and dairy as a wholesome part of our daily diet.

2. a particular selection of food, especially as designed or prescribed to improve a person's physical condition or to prevent or treat a disease:

   A diet low in sugar is often recommended for diabetes prevention.

3. a selection of food that emphasizes caloric restriction or otherwise limits the amount a person eats, usually intended to induce weight loss:

   No pie for me, I'm on a diet.

4. the foods eaten, as by a particular person or group:

   The Mediterranean diet consists historically of fish, fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.

5. food or feed habitually eaten or provided:

   The rabbits were fed a diet of carrots and lettuce.

6. anything that is habitually provided or partaken of:

   Television has given us a steady diet of reality shows and police procedurals.

adjective

1. suitable for consumption as part of a selection of food intended to induce weight loss:

   I usually drink diet soft drinks.

2. formulated to be lower in calories, fat, sugar, etc. than a similar food:

   The diet version of the cookie does taste different.

verb (used without object)

, di·et·ed, di·et·ing.

1. to select or limit the food one eats to improve one's physical condition or to lose weight:

   I've dieted all month and lost only one pound.

2. to eat or feed according to the requirements of a particular or prescribed selection of food.

verb (used with object)

, di·et·ed, di·et·ing.

1. to regulate the food of, especially in order to improve the physical condition:

   They dieted the dog to a healthy weight of 20 pounds.

2. to feed.

diet

²

[ dahy-it ]

noun

1. the legislative body of certain countries, as Japan.
2. the general assembly of the estates of the former Holy Roman Empire.

diet

¹

/ ˈdaɪət /

noun

1. sometimes capital a legislative assembly in various countries, such as Japan
2. Also calledReichstag sometimes capital the assembly of the estates of the Holy Roman Empire
3. Scots law
   1. the date fixed by a court for hearing a case
   2. a single session of a court

diet

²

/ ˈdaɪət /

noun

1. 1. a specific allowance or selection of food, esp prescribed to control weight or in disorders in which certain foods are contraindicated

      a salt-free diet

      a 900-calorie diet

   2. ( as modifier )

      a diet bread

2. the food and drink that a person or animal regularly consumes

   a diet of nuts and water

3. regular activities or occupations

verb

1. usually intr to follow or cause to follow a dietary regimen

Derived Forms

• ˈdieter, noun

Other Words From

• di·et·er noun
• non·di·et·er noun
• non·di·et·ing adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of diet¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English noun diete “day’s journey, appointed day, way of living,” from Anglo-French, Old French diete, from Latin diaeta, from Greek díaita “way of living, diet,” equivalent to dia- dia- + -aita (akin to aîsa “share, lot”; the verb is derivative of the noun

Origin of diet²

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin diēta “public assembly,” the same word as Latin diaeta with sense affected by Latin diēs “day”; diet ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of diet¹

C15: from Medieval Latin diēta public meeting, probably from Latin diaeta diet ¹but associated with Latin diēs day

Origin of diet²

C13: from Old French diete, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita mode of living, from diaitan to direct one's own life

Example Sentences

Among other things, they will continue to study how diet and lifestyle, in addition to drug treatment for cardiovascular disease, affect the risk of developing dementia.

From Science Daily

We also suggest that groups of countries could come together in sugar transition partnerships between producers and consumers that encourage a diversion of sugar away from peoples' diets to more beneficial uses.

From Salon

A patient with heart disease can improve their prognosis by taking medicine, changing their diet, getting more exercise or quitting smoking.

From Los Angeles Times

"By looking at a longer time period, and using photos to track diet and nutrition, we're able to get a much richer and more precise picture of what people actually ate."

From Science Daily

Despite the seemingly daunting complexity of the global food system, to ensure a healthy population and planet, global diet shifts are required.

From Science Daily