luncheon

noun

lun·​cheon ˈlən-chən 

: lunch

especially : a formal usually midday meal as part of a meeting or for entertaining a guest

a company luncheon

a fund-raising luncheon

Examples of luncheon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Oh, Mother Jessica Chastain celebrates Mother's Day with Gucci and her mom Jerri in New York City on April 16. 31 of 120 Forever Linked Yara Shahidi and her mother Keri stand side-by-side at a Mother's Day luncheon in New York City on April 16. —Alexandra Schonfeld, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025

The San Jose Woman’s Club is celebrating its 130th anniversary by bringing back one of its most popular events — the Opera with the Stars luncheon — for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. —Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 6 Apr. 2025

Wu’s decision to skip the annual luncheon, which will now be headlined by Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll on April 10, is a break with tradition. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 30 Mar. 2025

Guest authors Gary Phillips, Adam Sikes and Terry Shames will be featured guest authors at the luncheon fundraiser to be held at the Sheraton Park Hotel beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets are $90 per person or $850 for a table of 10. —Andrea Manes, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

perhaps alteration of nuncheon light snack, alteration of Middle English nonshench midday refreshment, from non noon + schench drink

First Known Use

circa 1652, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing luncheon

• luncheon meat
• pre-luncheon

Rhymes for luncheon

• truncheon

Kids Definition

luncheon

noun

lun·​cheon ˈlən-chən 

: a light meal at midday

especially : a formal lunch