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Definition of food

food

/fuːd/
food

Plural:foods
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food Lexical Profile

food Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any nutritious substance that people or animals eat or drink, or that plants absorb, in order to maintain life, growth, and energy.

Example

"The local shelter provides healthy food and warm clothing to families in need during the winter."


2

A distinct type, variety, or cuisine of nourishing substance.

Example

"The international festival highlights foods from around the world, celebrating diverse culinary traditions."


3

Ideas or materials that stimulate, sustain, or fuel a conceptual process.

Example

"The fascinating documentary provided plenty of food for thought regarding the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for food

• Rhymes for food

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'fōda', descending from Proto-Germanic 'fōdô' (meaning 'food'), which shares roots with the verb 'feed' and is related to the Latin 'panis' (bread) and 'pascere' (to feed).

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Food. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/food
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