bread

[ bred ]

noun

1. a kind of food made of flour or meal that has been mixed with milk or water, made into a dough or batter, with or without yeast or other leavening agent, and baked.
2. food or sustenance; livelihood:

   to earn one's bread.

3. Slang. money.
4. Ecclesiastical. the wafer or bread used in a Eucharistic service.

verb (used with object)

1. Cooking. to cover with breadcrumbs or meal.

bread

/ brɛd /

noun

1. a food made from a dough of flour or meal mixed with water or milk, usually raised with yeast or baking powder and then baked
2. necessary food; nourishment

   give us our daily bread

3. a slang word for money
4. Christianity a small loaf, piece of bread, or wafer of unleavened bread used in the Eucharist
5. bread and circuses
   something offered as a means of distracting attention from a problem or grievance
6. break bread
   See break
7. cast one's bread upon the waters
   to do good without expectation of advantage or return
8. to know which side one's bread is buttered
   to know what to do in order to keep one's advantages
9. take the bread out of someone's mouth
   to deprive someone of a livelihood

verb

1. tr to cover with breadcrumbs before cooking

   breaded veal

Other Word Forms

• breadless adjective
• breadless·ness noun
• un·breaded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bread¹

before 950; 1950–55 bread fordef 3; Middle English breed, Old English brēad fragment, morsel, bread; cognate with German Brot

Word History and Origins

Origin of bread¹

Old English brēad ; related to Old Norse braud , Old Frisian brād , Old High German brōt

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. break bread,
   1. to eat a meal, especially in companionable association with others.
   2. to distribute or participate in Communion.
2. cast one's bread upon the waters, to act generously or charitably with no thought of personal gain.
3. know which side one's bread is buttered on, to be aware of those things that are to one's own advantage.
4. take the bread out of someone's mouth, to deprive someone of livelihood.

More idioms and phrases containing bread

• break bread
• greatest thing since sliced bread
• know which side of bread is buttered
• take the bread out of someone's mouth

Example Sentences

It came rushing back to me one day when I tried a slice of zucchini bread from Gregory’s Coffee — astonishingly dense, dark and full of spice.

From Salon

That night, as Rob engaged with everyone at the dinner but me, I comforted myself with a basket of bread rolls and thought about how we used to relish every minute together.

From Los Angeles Times

A masked campaigner who hides her face behind a slice of bread in viral TikTok videos about parking fines has forced Manchester City Council to review its signage policies.

From BBC

In “Bel Canto,” Patchett concocts an almost fantastical scenario: What would happen if in the course of a months-long hostage crisis, the militants and civilians broke bread and sought comfort in each other?

From Los Angeles Times

Tinned fish can be enjoyed straight out of the tin or on top of crackers, potato chips and toasted sourdough bread.

From Salon

Related Words

• cabbage
• dough