meals
Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Meals are occasions of eating, typically at established times—breakfast, lunch, dinner.
A meal is also the food served at such an occasion: That was the best meal I've had in months.
To make a meal of something is to treat it as more elaborate or difficult than necessary.
Meal also refers to coarsely ground grain, as in cornmeal or oatmeal—a different word entirely.
Formal celebratory meal
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- luncheonFormal midday meal
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
- barbecueSlow-cook over coals
buffet · brunch · cookout · picnic · reunion · gala · feast · clambake
Elaborate ceremonial meal
- smorgasbordVaried self-serve meal
- spreadTo distribute widely
- bountyReward for capture
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
lavish · sumptuous · bountiful · plentiful · decadent · indulgent · extravagant · cornucopia
Means of living
- nutritionBodily use of food
- caloriesMeasures of food energy
- portionsDivided amounts allocated
- balancedIn a state of equilibrium
wholesome · nutritious · satisfying · filling · hearty · light · energy · fuel
Preparing food with heat
- recipesInstructions for preparing dishes
- menuList of available dishes
- coursesAcademic subjects or meal stages
- servingMeasured food portion
plating · catering · leftovers · reheating · portioning · planning · shopping · ingredients
One who abstains from flesh
- veganAvoids all animal products
- gluten-freeContaining no wheat protein
- halalPermitted under Islamic law
- kosherPermissible by Jewish law
paleo · keto · pescatarian · plant-based · allergen-free · low-carb · flexitarian · macrobiotic
breakfast
Day's first eating
brunch · elevenses · teatime · tiffin · late-night
banquet
Formal celebratory meal
- receptionAct of receiving guests
- luncheonFormal midday meal
- potluckCommunal meal, shared contributions
barbecue · buffet · brunch · cookout · picnic · reunion · gala · feast · clambake · seder
feast
Elaborate ceremonial meal
- smorgasbordVaried self-serve meal
- spreadTo distribute widely
- bountyReward for capture
banquet · lavish · sumptuous · bountiful · plentiful · decadent · indulgent · extravagant · cornucopia · all-you-can-eat
sustenance
Means of living
balanced · wholesome · nutritious · satisfying · filling · hearty · light · energy · fuel · fortifying
cooking
Preparing food with heat
- recipesInstructions for preparing dishes
- menuList of available dishes
- coursesAcademic subjects or meal stages
serving · plating · catering · leftovers · reheating · portioning · planning · shopping · ingredients · homemade
vegetarian
One who abstains from flesh
- veganAvoids all animal products
- gluten-freeContaining no wheat protein
- halalPermitted under Islamic law
kosher · paleo · keto · pescatarian · plant-based · allergen-free · low-carb · flexitarian · macrobiotic · diabetic-friendly
appetizer
Light dish preceding main
- everyday lifedaily routine, routines, errands, chores, bills
- expensesexpenses, expense, expenditure, cost, costs
- householdhome, house, kitchen, apartment, bathroom
- ingestiblesfood, drinks, beverages, medications, pills
- supplysupply, supplies, stock, provisions, stockpile
- airline servicesflight attendants, cabin crew, beverage service, in-flight entertainment, seat selection
mealssnacks
Light bites between meals
nibbles · grazing · bites · finger food · munchies
mealsfasting
Deliberate food avoidance
starvation · hunger · famine · deprivation · abstinence
- meal ticketsSources of financial support
- hot mealFreshly prepared warm food
- last mealPre-execution food tradition
- free mealUnpaid-for food
- holiday mealSpecial occasion dinner
- light mealSmall portion of food