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

Fortunately, many foods and drinks contain just as much, if not more, protein as protein shakes. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 14 Apr. 2025

Stable housing and access to nutritious food are fundamental for young people to succeed in school and life. —Beth Swanson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Apr. 2025

Examples of protein-rich foods include cottage cheese, shrimp, tuna, Greek yogurt, lentils, chicken breast, navy beans, and salmon. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 14 Apr. 2025

In addition, the company operates a café at the airport in Geneva selling food and notebooks, and will be opening others in Paris and Hong Kong. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 14 Apr. 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

Rhymes for food

• blued
• booed
• brewed
• brood
• chewed
• cooed
• crude
• cued
• dude
• feud
• glued
• gude

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