1
: an act or the time of eating a portion of food to satisfy appetite
2
: the portion of food eaten at a meal
1
: the usually coarsely ground and unbolted seeds of a cereal grass or pulse
especially
: cornmeal
2
: a product resembling seed meal especially in particle size or texture
-meal
3 of 3adverb combining form
: by a (specified) portion or measure at a time
piecemeal
Synonyms
Examples of meal in a Sentence
Noun (1)
all she wants to do is sit quietly after the large Thanksgiving meal
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Feb. 2025
Many others are mourning the lovely meals there shared with friends.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Thanks for the warm welcome, the laughter, the great meals and the inspiration for this new community.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
The petitioners originally applied for a Class B license — which is designed for establishments whose primary business is the service of meals.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for meal 
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Noun
Tucci, 64, stepped into the role of food expert to help curate a special Italian meal for the royal couple and their guests at their country home.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 9 Feb. 2025
Many others are mourning the lovely meals there shared with friends.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2025
Thanks for the warm welcome, the laughter, the great meals and the inspiration for this new community.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 Feb. 2025
The petitioners originally applied for a Class B license — which is designed for establishments whose primary business is the service of meals.
—Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for meal
Dictionary Entries Near meal
Cite this Entry
“Meal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meal. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
meal
1 of 2 noun1
: the food eaten or prepared for eating at one time
2
: the act or time of eating a meal
meal
2 of 2 noun1
: ground seeds of a cereal grass
especially
: cornmeal
2
: something like meal especially in texture
Etymology
Noun
Old English mæl "appointed time, meal"
Noun
Old English melu "ground grain"
Medical Definition
meal
noun
: the portion of food taken at one time to satisfy appetite
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