meat

noun

ˈmēt 

1

a

: food

especially : solid food as distinguished from drink

b

: the edible part of something as distinguished from its covering (such as a husk or shell)

2

: animal tissue considered especially as food:

a

: flesh sense 2b

also : flesh of a mammal as opposed to fowl or fish

b

: flesh sense 1a

specifically : flesh of domesticated animals

3

archaic : meal entry 1 sense 1

especially : dinner

4

a

: the core of something : heart

b

: pith sense 2b

a novel with meat

5

: favorite pursuit or interest

meated

ˈmē-təd 

adjective

meatless adjective

Synonyms

• flesh

Examples of meat in a Sentence

The restaurant serves a variety of meats.

The real meat of the book is found in its discussion of his economic plan.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s also evidence that these meats can contribute to the development and progression of prostate cancer. —Markham Heid, TIME, 13 Dec. 2024

The stoneware dishes are a must-have for anyone who loves working in the kitchen, as they can be used for roasting vegetables, making desserts, and braising meat. —Rachel Simon, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024

Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central 6-Quart Multi-Cooker The second slow cooker on the list, this Cuisinart three-in-one multi-cooker can also brown and saute meat and steam vegetables and fish. —Kaitlin Gates, Southern Living, 12 Dec. 2024

Whether demand for whale meat can be revived in a changing Japan remains uncertain. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English mete "food, meal," going back to Old English, going back to Germanic *mati- (whence Old Saxon meti, mat "food," Old High German maz, Old Norse matr, Gothic mats), perhaps going back to Indo-European *mod-i-, derivative of a verbal base *med- "become full," whence Greek mestós "full, satiated"

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing meat

• dark meat
• dead meat
• luncheon meat
• lunch meat
• meat and potatoes
• meat-ax
• meat loaf
• meat market
• meat sweats
• red meat
• variety meat
• white meat

Kids Definition

meat

noun

ˈmēt 

1

a

: something eaten for nourishment

especially : solid food as distinguished from drink

b

: the edible part of something as distinguished from the covering (as a shell or husk)

walnut meat

2

: animal and especially mammal flesh used as food