meal Hear it!

meal¹ Definition

meal (mēl)

noun

  1. any of the times, esp. the customary times, for eating, as breakfast, lunch, or dinner
  2. the food served or eaten at such a time

Etymology: ME mele < OE mæl, a measure, fixed time, meal, akin to Ger mal, time, mahl, meal < IE base *mē-, to measure

meal² Definition

meal (mēl)

noun

  1. any edible grain, or the edible part of any grain, coarsely ground and unbolted cornmeal
  2. any substance similarly ground or powdered

Etymology: ME mele < OE melu, akin to Ger mehl < IE base *mel-, to grind, soft > mill

meal Synonyms

meal

n.

  1. Ground feed

    bran, farina, grits, groats, fodder, provender, forage; see also feed, flour, grain 1.

    Types of meal include: cornmeal, grits, corn grits, hominy grits, corn starch, corn gluten, barley meal, oatmeal, wheat meal, linseed meal, soybean meal, soybean flour, cottonseed meal, bonemeal, tankage, alum meal.

  2. The quantity of food taken at one time

    repast, feast, refreshment, refection, collation, mess*, feed bag*, feed*, eats*, grub*, bag*, chow*, spread*, stand-up*, square meal*, munchies*, carry-out*, snack*, blowout*, grubfest*. see also breakfast, dinner, lunch.

    Meals include: banquet, brunch, snack, tea, high tea, picnic, luncheon, dessert, supper;

meal Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • cook: Optional home cooked evening meal with fresh local produce.
  • eat: For the last three to four days try to eat a small meal or snack every two or three hours.
  • prepare: The council may be forced to repay money charged for preparing meals under the home carers service.
  • serve: The restaurant served 3 generous meals every day with a huge choice of dishes.
  • enjoy: Guests can enjoy a meal in the hotel restaurant or a relaxing drink in the.. .
  • skip: I generally treat food as a low priority on a holiday, skipping meals occasionally or eating total junk.

Preposition: at

lunchtime: Meals at lunchtime are about £ 5 - £ 9 and around £ 12 on the evening.

Adjective modifier

  • delicious: The tasting will be followed by a delicious meal served by our top caterers.
  • tasty: What better way to warm up for the colder months than with some tasty meals for the family, courtesy of Uncle Ben's!
  • hearty: Head across to the Bowl, for a value for money, hearty meal.
  • nutritious: Kids will have great fun helping to make as well as eating these nutritious meals.
  • ready: You may want to rely on ready meals just for this period, that only need heating up in the microwave.
  • hot: Hot meals have recently been withdrawn in some areas.

Modifies a noun

voucher: Picnic boxes, meal vouchers, monorail and water bus tickets are all available to be pre-booked.

Noun used with modifier

  • evening: Optional home cooked evening meal with fresh local produce.
  • three-course: On offer is an extensive menu with something for everyone from a quick snack to a full blown three-course meal.
  • gourmet: The perfect way to work up an appetite before tonight's gourmet meal.
  • midday: The traditional 16 ounce Cornish Pasty filled with locally produced Chuck Steak, potato, swede and onion was the diner's midday meal.
  • buffet: We can cater for upto 50 for a sit-down meal or upto 200 for an informal buffet style meal.
  • Passover: They were having the final supper, the last supper, the Passover meal.