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food

noun
FOOD/fuːd/

4 meanings of food

Practice

  1. 1
    what we eatnoununcountable
    What people and animals eat to stay alive and grow; also, a particular kind of this.

    The shelter provides food for families who cannot afford groceries.

    Hikers should pack lightweight food for long trips into the mountains.

    UsageIn general use, no a and no plural: enough food, a lot of food. foods means different kinds.

    Similarnourishment, sustenance, provisions

  2. 2
    for the mindnounfigurativelyuncountable
    Anything that nourishes or sustains, especially the mind, spirit, or emotions rather than the body.

    Her mentor's hard questions gave her food for thought that lasted for years.

    For many artists, solitude is the food that keeps creativity alive.

    UsageMostly in the set phrase food for thought: something worth thinking about.

    Similarfuel, nourishment, sustenance, inspiration

  3. 3
    noununcountable
    Any material an organism, plants included, either takes in from outside or makes for itself, and uses to gain energy and grow.

    Through photosynthesis, a plant turns carbon dioxide and water into food in the form of sugars.

    A seed carries a small store of food that feeds the young plant until its first leaves open.

    Similarnourishment

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    noundialectalMulticultural London English
    In slang use, illegal drugs or other banned substances.

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English fode, from Old English fōda ("food"), going back through Proto-Germanic *fōdô to the Proto-Indo-European root *peh₂- ("to guard, graze, feed"). It is related to "fodder" and "foster," and has cognates such as Dutch voedsel and Swedish föda.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 7 facts