food

[ food ]

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.

food

/ 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 alimentary
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

Derived Forms

• ˈfoodless, adjective

Other Words From

• foodless adjective
• foodless·ness noun
• non·food noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of food¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of food¹

Old English fōda ; related to Old Frisian fōdia to nourish, feed, Old Norse fœthi , Gothic fōdeins food; see feed , fodder

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

Rice cakes have even seen a resurgence in their fortunes in recent years due partly to a surging interest in gluten-free foods.

From Eater

To the haters, sunflower seeds are bird food or a sorry replacement for chewing tobacco.

From Eater

Rafael Tonon is a journalist and food writer living between Brazil and Portugal.

From Eater

First, reporting requirements similar to those for food and active pharmaceutical ingredients should extend to excipients.

From Popular-Science

We’re not seeing a lot of tech companies traveling, but some in construction and food companies have to travel, and have been pretty much since late April.

From Fortune

And there is definitely something to finding solace in food, familiarity, and memory.

From The Daily Beast

Finding a smuggler in Ventimiglia is easier than finding good food.

From The Daily Beast

Talking about death is never easy, but with food, comfort, and familiarity, a new kind of dinner party is making it easier.

From The Daily Beast

And if people find themselves dissatisfied with how often they turn to fast food, Bacon says to try things like batch cooking.

From The Daily Beast

Instead of just cutting out whole food groups, Bacon says people should pay attention to how food makes them feel.

From The Daily Beast

And I have not had the first morsel of food prepared from this grain offered me since I reached the shores of Europe.

From Project Gutenberg

The general commanded a halt, and ordered the men to refresh and strengthen themselves by food and drink.

From Project Gutenberg

It was he who first said, If thine enemy hunger give him food, if he thirst give him drink.

From Project Gutenberg

These officers are bound to maintayne themselves and families with food and rayment by their owne and their servant's industrie.

From Project Gutenberg

I suspect, from the evident care taken of it, that its product is considerably relied on for food.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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