food

noun

ˈfüd 

often attributive

1

a

: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

also : such food together with supplementary substances (such as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)

drought victims who don't have enough food to eat

b

: inorganic substances absorbed by plants in gaseous form or in water solution

2

: nutriment in solid form

She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.

3

: something that nourishes, sustains, or supplies

food for thought

Books were his mental food.

foodless

ˈfüd-ləs 

adjective

foodlessness noun

Synonyms

• bread
• chow
• chuck [chiefly West]
• comestibles
• eatables
• eats
• edibles
• fare
• foodstuffs
• grub
• meat
• provender
• provisions
• table
• tucker [chiefly Australian]
• viands
• victuals
• vittles

Examples of food in a Sentence

a farmer who grows his own food

drought victims who don't have enough food to eat

She gave food and drink to the hungry travelers.

What is your favorite food?

fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods

Recent Examples on the Web

The common signs of vision loss include bumping into objects, difficulty finding food or toys, hesitation with jumping, anxiety, clinginess, or even aggression due to vulnerability. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

Tito’s Vodka is versatile for cocktails or sipping neat and pairs well with [specific food or mixers]. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Security is extremely tight — his food gets passed through a slot, correction officers aren’t allowed to open his cell door without a supervisor present, and lawyer meetings take place across a wall of thick glass. —John Annese, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2025

In the food sector, Cramer highlighted Hormel , Hershey , Mondelez , General Mills and Smucker . —Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fode, from Old English fōda; akin to Old High German fuotar food, fodder, Latin panis bread, pascere to feed

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing food

• angel food cake
• comfort food
• devil's food cake
• fast-food
• finger food
• food bank
• food-borne
• food chain
• food coma
• food court
• food desert
• food fight
• food for thought
• food insecure
• food insecurity
• food pantry
• food poisoning
• food processor
• food pyramid
• food secure
• food stamp
• food truck
• food vacuole
• food web
• functional food
• health food
• junk food
• natural food
• plant food
• play with one's food
• soul food
• street food
• whole food

Kids Definition

food

noun

ˈfüd 

1

: material containing or consisting of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins used in the body of an animal to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

also : such material together with extra substances (as vitamins and minerals)

2

a

: organic substances taken in by green plants and used to build organic nutrients

b

: organic material produced by green plants and used by them as building material and as a source of energy

3

: nourishment in solid form

4

: something that nourishes, supports, or supplies

food for thought

Medical Definition

food

noun

ˈfüd 

often attributive

1

: material consisting essentially of protein, carbohydrate, and fat used in the body of an organism to sustain growth, repair, and vital processes and to furnish energy

also : such material together with supplementary substances (as minerals, vitamins, and condiments)

2

: nutriment in solid form