dinner

[din-er]

noun

1. the main meal of the day, eaten in the evening or at midday.

2. a formal meal in honor of some person or occasion.

3. table d'hôte.

dinner

/ ˈdɪnə /

noun

1. a meal taken in the evening

2. a meal taken at midday, esp when it is the main meal of the day; lunch

3. 1. a formal evening meal, as of a club, society, etc

   2. a public banquet in honour of someone or something

4. a complete meal at a fixed price in a restaurant; table d'hôte

5. (modifier) of, relating to, or used at dinner

   dinner plate

   dinner table

   dinner hour

6. informal,  (usually passive) to do for, overpower, or outdo

Other Word Forms

• dinnerless adjective
• predinner noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dinner¹

1250–1300; Middle English diner < Old French disner (noun use of v.); dine

Word History and Origins

Origin of dinner¹

C13: from Old French disner; see _dine

Example Sentences

Roast chicken is stellar as a dinner party main, but it also makes for great leftovers.

From Salon

He climbed into his sleeping bag without dinner, because he knew it was more important to warm up before the cold of night descended than it was to eat.

From Los Angeles Times

After three months at the Y, I was walking home from dinner one night when I tripped on a crack in a sidewalk and fractured my kneecap.

From Los Angeles Times

Ahead of the dinner, Microsoft and OpenAI announced ways the companies are supporting the White House’s efforts to expand AI literacy.

From Los Angeles Times

And I don't want to be mean but I had quite a horsey dinner in Kazakhstan.

From BBC

Related Words

• banquet 
• feast 
• supper