meal

noun

ˈmēl How to pronounce meal (audio)
Definition of mealnext
as in menu
food eaten or prepared for eating at one time all she wants to do is sit quietly after the large Thanksgiving meal

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of meal For readers looking to stay fuller between meals and steady their morning energy, the 30-30-30 method has moved out of fitness feeds and into mainstream nutrition coverage. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026 The 30-30-30 method has readers hunting for morning meals that deliver 30 grams of protein fast, without another chalky shake. — Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 2 Sep. 2026 And even with higher prices, seven in 10 families plan to protect their children’s sports participation, even if that means certain trade-offs such as dining out less and preparing simpler weekday meals. — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026 For a balanced meal, try sautéing shrimp with vegetables and serving it over brown rice or quinoa. — Morgan Pearson, Verywell Health, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meal
  1. menu
  2. dinner
  3. lunch
  4. feed
  5. repast
  6. supper
Noun
  • The all-day menu at Hurly-Burly is filled with light bites, plus an array of fun drinks for kids and adults.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Like the Rea Farms location, the Cornelius restaurant will feature a brick oven pizza program to expand its menu lineup.
    — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of menu
Noun
  • The espresso-brown Italian leather satchel is a roomy everyday bag that still looks elevated enough for dinner.
    — Kaitlin Marks, Travel + Leisure, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the final days of summer, as New Yorkers hold on to their last al fresco dinners and natural tans, cloudy skies are the most unwelcome sight.
    — Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of dinner
Noun
  • And strangers become friends through their weekly creative writing workshop and daily lunch service.
    — Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Its footprint has grown more than 40% in each of the past four years, just as Mediterranean bowls have become a fast-casual lunch staple.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of lunch
Noun
  • Compared to other changes—like restricting minor use to two hours per day and giving them the option to have a non-personalized feed—what, exactly, the limits on beauty filters will look like is still a bit fuzzy.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The 30-30-30 rule dominates wellness feeds, and the question worth asking is whether front-loading protein at breakfast actually delivers measurable results.
    — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of feed
Noun
  • Detroit police are investigating a gunfight that left two men injured Saturday evening at a repast on the city's east side.
    — Nick Lentz, CBS News, 15 June 2026
  • In a larger context, this quintessentially Bengali phrase has come to mean a repast of tea and snacks that encompasses a tradition deeply ingrained in the culture.
    — Madhushree Basu Roy, Saveur, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of repast
Noun
  • Since 1911, the event has brought together Italian and German volunteers who lovingly make meatballs and ravioli, and families and friends who sit at rows of long tables to enjoy the homemade supper.
    — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 25 Aug. 2026
  • The crab can do it all – serve as a beach dinner or part of the holiday supper.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of supper

Browse Nearby Words

meagerness
meal
meals
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Meal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meal. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of matriculate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All