1
: of, relating to, or specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly
a fast-food restaurant
2
: designed for ready availability, use, or consumption and with little consideration given to quality or significance
fast-food TV programming
fast food noun

Examples of fast-food in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Brands joins other fast-food companies, like McDonald's and Wendy's, that have experimented with AI at its locations. Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025 This is less of a problem at large fast-food chains with safety checks and cooking technologies that help minimize these chemicals, but smaller restaurants may not have these precautions, Decker explains. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 21 Mar. 2025 Everyone has a favorite, go-to fast-food order when in need of a quick meal, a comfort meal, or when the mood just strikes. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Mar. 2025 Bridgeman started his business empire by opening a string of fast-food restaurants, mostly Wendy’s. Michael Hutton, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fast-food

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fast-food was in 1960

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Cite this Entry

“Fast-food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-food. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

fast-food

adjective
ˌfas(t)-ˌfüd
: specializing in food that can be prepared and served quickly
a fast-food restaurant
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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