noun

lunch

A meal usually eaten around midday.

We eat lunch together at noon in the kitchen.

Etymology

Lunch belongs to a word family that earlier referred to a piece or portion of food, including luncheon. The word came to name a meal, especially the midday meal.

More examples

  • I pack my lunch before leaving for work.
  • Would you like to join us for lunch?
  • The café serves light lunches until two.

Forms

lunch · lunches

lunchtime noun — The usual time for eating lunch.

Similar words

meal
Any regular eating occasion, not specifically the midday one.
luncheon
A more formal word, often for an organized midday meal.