# food

/ˈfud/ (US) · /fˈuːd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sustenance

noun · CEFR A1

things that people and animals eat to stay healthy and alive.

For teachers: any substance consumed by living organisms to provide nutritional support and energy. Usually uncountable in this general sense.

- We need to buy some fresh food for the weekend trip.
- The humanitarian agency worked tirelessly to ensure that emergency food reached the remote villages before the winter snow blocked the mountain passes.

### 3. mental or spiritual fuel

noun · CEFR B2

something that makes you think or gives you energy for your mind.

For teachers: anything that provides mental or spiritual nourishment or serves as a source of inspiration. Used figuratively and usually uncountable.

- The professor's lecture provided plenty of food for thought.
- The documentary provided much-needed food for the soul, reminding the audience of the resilience of the human spirit in times of crisis.

## Examples

- We need to buy some fresh food for dinner.
- The local market sells a wide variety of organic food grown by farmers in the nearby valley.
- Global security depends on the stable production and distribution of food, yet supply chains remain vulnerable to sudden shifts in climate and international trade policy.

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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.