# breakfast

/ˈbɹɛkfəst/ (US) · /bɹˈɛkfəst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/breakfast
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. first meal of the day

noun · CEFR A1

the first meal you eat after waking up, usually in the morning.

For teachers: the first meal of the day, typically consumed during the morning hours.

- I usually have a quick breakfast of toast and coffee before I leave for work.
- Nutritionists often argue that a balanced breakfast provides the necessary glucose to maintain cognitive function throughout a demanding morning schedule.

### 2. type of food

noun · CEFR B1

a meal made of foods usually eaten in the morning, like eggs or cereal, even if eaten later.

For teachers: a meal consisting of specific food items traditionally associated with the morning, regardless of the time of consumption.

- The café serves a full English breakfast all day long.
- The diner specialised in traditional breakfast fare, offering pancakes and smoked bacon well into the evening hours for late-shift workers.

### 3. post-ceremony meal

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Formal

a special meal served after a formal event like a wedding.

For teachers: a celebratory meal served following a religious or solemn ceremony, most commonly a wedding.

- After the church service, the guests gathered for a wedding breakfast at a nearby hotel.
- The wedding breakfast was held in the grand ballroom, featuring a three-course menu that reflected the couple's heritage.

### 4. to eat the morning meal

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

to eat your first meal of the day.

For teachers: to consume the morning meal; used as an intransitive verb.

- The guests breakfasted on the terrace while enjoying the view of the mountains.
- The travellers breakfasted early at the inn before continuing their journey across the pass.

## Examples

- We often have eggs for breakfast.
- The hotel serves a continental breakfast with coffee and pastries from 7 to 10 a.m.
- While some cultures favor a large, savory breakfast to start the day, others prefer something small and sweet, reflecting diverse culinary traditions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.