breakfast

[ brek-fuhst ]

noun

1. the first meal of the day; morning meal:

   A hearty breakfast was served at 7 a.m.

2. the food eaten at the first meal of the day:

   a breakfast of bacon and eggs.

verb (used without object)

1. to eat breakfast:

   He breakfasted on bacon and eggs.

verb (used with object)

1. to supply with breakfast:

   We breakfasted the author in the finest restaurant.

breakfast

/ ˈbrɛkfəst /

noun

1. 1. the first meal of the day
   2. ( as modifier )

      a breakfast room

      breakfast cereal

2. the food at this meal
3. (in the Caribbean) a midday meal

verb

1. to eat or supply with breakfast

Derived Forms

• ˈbreakfaster, noun

Other Words From

• breakfast·er noun
• breakfast·less adjective
• post·breakfast adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakfast¹

First recorded in 1425–75, breakfast is from the late Middle English word brekfast. See break, fast ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of breakfast¹

C15: from break + fast ²

Example Sentences

My husband will eat his breakfast during the class if he didn't have a chance before, during the segment where the instructor is talking.

From Washington Post

The patients at the sanitarium loved it, and soon Corn Flakes would take over the entire country, changing the way America eats breakfast.

From Ozy

If you’re on your own, or you favor small breakfasts, a two-slot toaster might serve you well.

From Popular-Science

The quesadillas, above, have a similar protein-fat-carbs ratio to the breakfast burritos, making them a well-balanced choice for a midday ski meal.

From Outside Online

There’d still be cappuccino and cornetto at the bar for breakfast, and, for lunch, plenty of pappardelle al ragù di cinghiale.

From Fortune

There were stomachs, taut and flat, but also undulating bellies, soft and bloated from the breakfast buffet.

From The Daily Beast

How do you push yourself to be better when you get an Oscar for buying breakfast in the morning?

From The Daily Beast

For Paul, the thrill of breakfast with the Reverend, may be giving way to the taste of burnt toast.

From The Daily Beast

But I live near really smart, thoughtful people who take writing very seriously, and I can meet them for breakfast and talk books.

From The Daily Beast

One hundred meters from the entrance to the Korengal we stop for breakfast.

From The Daily Beast

But she told Grandfather Mole that it was all right—that she knew a person of his age ought not to go without his breakfast.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Orgreave, having taken Clayhanger to the front door, did not return immediately into the breakfast-room.

From Project Gutenberg

On the next afternoon, at a quarter-past two, Hilda and Janet were sitting together in the breakfast-room.

From Project Gutenberg

The wedding breakfast very much resembled the similar festivities at which most of us have assisted.

From Project Gutenberg

After breakfast I hurried off to the station, where I met the others, everybody being in the highest spirits.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brunch