lunch

Plurallunches

Formslunches, lunching, lunched

1. 1
   midday mealnouncountable or uncountable

   A meal eaten in the middle of the day, often a light one.

   Like the meal you eat in the middle of a school day.

   We ate a quick lunch before heading back to work.

   She packed her lunch in a paper bag this morning.

   UsageSay have lunch or for lunch with no a. Use a with a describing word: a quick lunch.

   Note
2. 2
   verbintransitive

   To eat your midday meal.

   We usually lunch around noon on weekdays.

   They lunched together at a small bistro near the office.

   UsageSay lunch with a friend. Lunch on can give the food (on soup) or the place.

   Similardine, eat

   Note
3. 3
   treat someoneverbtransitive

   To give someone lunch as a treat, often by paying for it.

   She lunched her whole team to celebrate the new contract.

   The boss likes to lunch new staff on their first day.

   UsageLunch someone means you treat them. Lunch with someone means you eat together.

   Similartreat, entertain, host

   Note
4. 4
   refreshmentsnounUSCanadacountable

   Any small meal or snack, often one served to guests at a gathering.

   Around midnight, they served a lunch of sandwiches and pickles at the dance.

   Grandma always puts out a lunch when neighbors stop by.

   UsagePeople say a lunch of sandwiches and coffee, even late at night.

   Similarsnack, collation

   Note
5. 5
   cricket breaknoununcountable

   In cricket, the rest break taken between the first and second sessions of play.

   The players left the field for lunch after a tight morning session.

   Rain delayed the start of play until just before lunch.

   UsageSay at lunch or before lunch, with no the.

   Similarinterval, break

Showing meanings only. Show all 6