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.
foodlessness
noun
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
Ginsberg has captured the adults attempting to feed the goose frogs, but the little herbivore rejected those attempts, and the cranes have seemingly adjusted to providing food the gosling would eat.
—
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
There really is something special about eating food fresh out of your own garden.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
The Union has several restaurants signed, including those serving Mexican, Japanese and Thai food.
—John Tuohy, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
Cincy Gourmet feels like an homage to the old-school delis and bodegas of New York City: a no-frills neighborhood spot offering consistently delicious food served by people who take their jobs seriously.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for food
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.
Laura Schulte, jsonline.com, 31 July 2025
There really is something special about eating food fresh out of your own garden.
—Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 31 July 2025
The Union has several restaurants signed, including those serving Mexican, Japanese and Thai food.
—John Tuohy, IndyStar, 30 July 2025
Cincy Gourmet feels like an homage to the old-school delis and bodegas of New York City: a no-frills neighborhood spot offering consistently delicious food served by people who take their jobs seriously.
—Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for food
Cite this Entry
“Food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
food
noun1
: 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
nounoften 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share