any substance containing nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, that can be ingested by a living organism and metabolized into energy and body tissue Related adjective(s): alimentarynourishment in more or less solid form as opposed to liquid form: food and drink anything that provides mental nourishment or stimulus: food for thought
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025
food /fud/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- Nutrition[uncountable] any nourishing substance eaten or drunk to sustain life, provide energy, and promote growth.
- Nutrition solid nourishment as distinguished from liquids:[uncountable]food and drink.
- Nutrition a particular kind of solid nourishment:[countable]breakfast food; pet food.
- anything that nourishes:[uncountable]food for thought.
food
(fo̅o̅d),USA pronunciation n.
food′less, adj.
food′less•ness, n.
- Nutritionany nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, promote growth, etc.
- Nutritionmore or less solid nourishment, as distinguished from liquids.
- Nutritiona particular kind of solid nourishment:a breakfast food; dog food.
- Nutritionwhatever supplies nourishment to organisms:plant food.
- anything serving for consumption or use:food for thought.
- bef. 1000; Middle English fode, Old English fōda; compare Old English fēdan, Gothic fōdjan to feed; compare fodder1, foster
food′less•ness, n.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged nutriment, aliment, bread, sustenance, victuals; meat, viands; diet, menu. Food, fare, provisions, ration(s) all refer to nutriment. Food is the general word:Breakfast foods have become very popular. Many animals prefer grass as food.Fare refers to the whole range of foods that may nourish a person or animal:an extensive bill of fare; The fare of some animals is limited in range.Provisions is applied to a store or stock of necessary things, esp. food, prepared beforehand:provisions for a journey.Ration implies an allotment or allowance of provisions:a daily ration for each man of a company.Rations often means food in general:to be on short rations.
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