Meal Definition, Types & Common Usage

Meaning 1：a regular eating occasion (meal)

meal 🔊

/miːl/

Food that you eat or prepare to eat at a specific time, like breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Meal scene with rice vegetables and chicken on dining table

a regular eating occasion 🔊

➕

/ə ˈreɡ.jə.lər ˈiː.tɪŋ əˈkeɪ.ʒən/

A meal is the food consumed during a specific time of day, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner, often as part of a daily routine.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Old English 'mǣl' (measure, time, occasion); cognates: Dutch 'maal', German 'Mahl'.

💡 Mnemonic

'Meal' comes from the same root as 'measure' - think of it as a measure of time to eat.

📖 Example

After a long day at work, a warm home-cooked meal is the best way to relax. 🔊 After a long day at work, a warm home-cooked meal is the best way to relax.

🔗 Collocations

home-cooked meal – a meal prepared at home

square meal – a substantial and balanced meal

heavy meal – a large, filling meal

🔄 Synonyms

repast (n.) – a formal or substantial meal

feast (n.) – a large, celebratory meal

spread (n.) – a large variety of food for a meal, often informal

🚫 Antonyms

fast (n.) – a period of abstaining from food

snack (n.) – a small amount of food eaten between meals

🌱 Derivatives

mealtime (n.) – the usual time for a meal

meal ticket (n.) – a ticket or source of income used to obtain meals

meal prep (n.) – the preparation of meals in advance

📖 Cultural Story

Originally meant 'appointed time' in Old English; later shifted to refer to the food eaten at such times. Related to German 'Mahl' and Dutch 'maal'.