meat

noun \ ˈmēt \

Updated on: 6 Mar 2018

Definition of meat

1 a : food; especially : solid food as distinguished from drink

b : the edible part of something as distinguished from its covering (such as a husk or shell)

2 : animal tissue considered especially as food:

a : flesh 2b; also : flesh of a mammal as opposed to fowl or fish

b : flesh 1a; specifically : flesh of domesticated animals

3 archaic : ¹meal 1; especially : dinner

4 a : the core of something : heart

b : pith 2b

a novel with meat

5 : favorite pursuit or interest

—

meated

play \ˈmē-təd\ adjective

—

meatless

adjective

See meat defined for English-language learners

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Examples of meat in a Sentence

The restaurant serves a variety of meats.
The real meat of the book is found in its discussion of his economic plan.

Recent Examples of meat from the Web

Among the biggest sellers are soy beans, grains, dairy products, meat, nuts, hay, wine, fruit and vegetables.

— geoffrey mohan, latimes.com, "Trade war could spark food fight, California growers fear," 2 Mar. 2018
For those with special diets A handful of items make up the meat-free items on The Edison’s menu.

— lauren delgado, OrlandoSentinel.com, "The Edison in Disney Springs puts on a good show," 27 Feb. 2018
That makes sense, as the menu indicates most of the produce, meats, and eggs are sourced locally, with select veggies coming straight from Joanna's beautiful garden.

— taysha murtaugh, Country Living, "Here's Your First Look at the New Magnolia Table Menu," 26 Feb. 2018
According to Atlas Obscura, back when Florida was still a wild, swampy world, flamingos were hunted in large numbers for their plumes, skin, and meat, and the historical population was nearly wiped out by 1900.

— melissa locker, Southern Living, "Here’s How Florida Got Its Flamingos," 26 Feb. 2018
His menu board focuses on just three meats, four sides and a delicious pan de campo every Friday and Saturday.

— chuck blount, San Antonio Express-News, "52 Weeks of BBQ: El Monte BBQ," 23 Feb. 2018
For those who prefer meat to fish, Miyazaki Wagyu beef tartare atop puffed black rice is almost too pretty to eat, alongside tiny taro tacos with spiced eggplant and lime pickles.

— lauren sheffield, Harper's BAZAAR, "Here's What the Celebs Will Be Eating at the 2018 Academy Awards," 22 Feb. 2018
Duck cassoulet at Le Petit Café, Branford — This exceptionally meat-focused cassoulet with roasted duck breast, Armagnac duck sausage, applewood smoked bacon and flageolet beans will knock your socks off.

— frank cohen, courant.com, "What Great Dishes Are On Your Own CT Bucket List? Here Are Our Picks," 21 Feb. 2018
The tiger of patriotic mobilization needs to be fed — and the larger and bloodier the meat, the better.

— leon aron, National Review, "Vladimir Putin’s Wartime Presidency," 16 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'meat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of meat

Middle English mete "food, meal," going back to Old English, going back to Germanic *mati- (whence Old Saxon meti, mat "food," Old High German maz, Old Norse matr, Gothic mats), perhaps going back to Indo-European *mod-i-, derivative of a verbal base *med- "become full," whence Greek mestós "full, satiated"

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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