dinner

noun

din·​ner ˈdi-nər How to pronounce dinner (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of dinnernext
1
a
: the principal meal of the day
having dinner at five o'clock
b
: a formal feast or banquet
held a dinner in her honor
2
: table d'hôte sense 2
3
: the food prepared for a dinner
eat your dinner
4
: a packaged meal usually for quick preparation
warmed up a frozen dinner
dinnerless
ˈdi-nər-ləs How to pronounce dinner (audio)
adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between dinner and supper?

In modern use dinner and supper both usually refer to the main meal of the day eaten in the evening, with dinner being the slightly more formal word. Formerly, dinner typically referred to a main meal eaten in the middle of the day, while supper referred to a light meal eaten in the evening. That meaning of supper is still current in British English and among some speakers of American English.

What time is dinner?

The word dinner typically now refers to the main meal of the day eaten in the evening. In the phrase "Sunday dinner," dinner often refers to a main meal eaten earlier in the day on Sunday.

Why is it called dinner?

The word dinner comes from the Anglo-French (that is, the French spoken in medieval England) word disner, meaning "to dine." It has been in use since the 13th century.

Synonyms of dinner

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Examples of dinner in a Sentence

We had many pleasant dinners together. We're planning to ask them to dinner soon. Two hundred people attended his retirement dinner.
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.
The clock started on the evening of January 31st, a Saturday, when Guthrie took an Uber to the home of her daughter Annie, who lives nearby, for dinner and a game night. —Paige Williams, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026 Perfect for birthdays, special occasions, or Sunday dinner with the family, chocolate cake is Grandma's go-to to make every occasion sweet. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026 Adam’s girlfriend, Angela, commandeered the kitchen, churning out hundreds of dumplings for dinner. —Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026 After that, a Tuscan dinner will be served up in the palace courtyard. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dinner

Word History

Etymology

Middle English diner, from Anglo-French disner, diner meal, from disner to dine

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of dinner was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing dinner

Rhymes for dinner

See All Rhymes for dinner

Browse Nearby Words

dinna
dinner
dinner cloth
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Cite this Entry

“Dinner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dinner. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dinner

noun
din·​ner ˈdin-ər How to pronounce dinner (audio)
1
: the main meal of the day
2
: banquet entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on dinner

Nglish: Translation of dinner for Spanish Speakers

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