dinner
n.-
1 main daily meal (n.) A1 Beginnerthe largest or most important meal of the day, often eaten in the evening.
the principal meal of the day, typically consumed in the evening in modern urban contexts.
ExampleWe usually have dinner together as a family around seven o'clock.
ExampleAfter a long day at the office, they preferred to prepare a simple dinner at home rather than eating out at a restaurant.
PitfallI had a dinner with my friend.I had dinner with my friend.When talking about the meal in general, do not use 'a'. Use 'a' only when describing a specific type of dinner, like 'a formal dinner'.
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2 midday meal (n.) A2 Elementary British English Dialectthe meal eaten in the middle of the day, especially for children at school.
a midday meal, particularly in British English or specific socio-economic contexts where the evening meal is lighter.
ExampleThe children are having their school dinner in the hall right now.
ExampleIn many northern communities, the term dinner traditionally refers to the substantial meal served at noon, while the evening meal is called tea.
UsageCommonly used in the phrase 'school dinner' to refer to the meal provided to students at noon.
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3 formal event (n.) B1 Intermediate Formala formal party or event where a large meal is served to many people.
a formal social occasion or banquet held in honour of a person or event.
ExampleHe wore a suit to the annual awards dinner at the hotel.
ExampleThe charity hosted a black-tie dinner to raise funds for the new hospital wing, attracting several high-profile donors.
From Middle English dyner, from Old French disner (“lunch”, but originally “breakfast”), (modern French dîner), from Vulgar Latin disiūnō, disiūnāre from Latin dis- + iēiūnō (“to break the fast”).