1
a
: the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made
b
: a communal meal to which people bring food to share
—usually used attributively
a potluck supper
2
: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time
Examples of potluck in a Sentence
He organized a neighborhood potluck for next Saturday.
Recent Examples on the Web
Encourage team-building activities that leverage existing resources, such as potlucks or game days.
—
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
What to see today Catch a glimpse of what the locals are doing, likely gathering for potlucks on the beach or partaking in water sports like surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 May 2026
By the '60s and ’70s, Bundt cakes had become potluck staples and holiday centerpieces, loved for their easy elegance and flavor possibilities.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 May 2026
This Tex-Mex dish is a familiar face at our parties and potlucks.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for potluck
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
What to see today Catch a glimpse of what the locals are doing, likely gathering for potlucks on the beach or partaking in water sports like surfing, kayaking or paddle boarding.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 17 May 2026
By the '60s and ’70s, Bundt cakes had become potluck staples and holiday centerpieces, loved for their easy elegance and flavor possibilities.
—Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 17 May 2026
This Tex-Mex dish is a familiar face at our parties and potlucks.
—Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 13 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for potluck
Cite this Entry
“Potluck.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potluck. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
potluck
noun
pot·luck
ˈpät-ˈlək 
1
a
: a regular meal for which no special preparations have been made
b
: a meal to which people bring food to share
2
: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time
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