breakfast

American  

[brek-fuhst] / ˈbrɛk fəst /

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.

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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 British  

/ ˈbrɛkfəst /

noun

1. 1. the first meal of the day

   2. ( as modifier )

      breakfast cereal

      a breakfast room

2. the food at this meal

3. (in the Caribbean) a midday meal

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verb

1. to eat or supply with breakfast

Other Word Forms

• breakfaster noun
• breakfastless adjective
• postbreakfast adjective

Etymology

Origin of breakfast

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

Example Sentences

The junior Kellogg later applied that to corn—and changed breakfast forever.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

TMZ, which has been hunting politicians during the congressional recess, spotted Graham eating a resort breakfast, walking around with a bubble wand, and getting on Space Mountain.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026

Mills's last Radio 2 breakfast show appearance was on Tuesday 24 March, when he signed off by saying: "Back tomorrow."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

It doubles as an elevated breakfast or a perfect dessert.

From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026

I could tell by the big monkey’s actions that apples were just what he wanted for breakfast, but he couldn’t seem to convince himself that everything was all right.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• brunch