# lunchtime

/ˈɫəntʃˌtaɪm/ (US) · /lˈʌntʃtaɪm/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lunchtime
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

the time of day when you usually eat your midday meal. It is also the period when people take a break from work or school to eat.

For teachers: the period of the day during which the midday meal is typically eaten. Often functions as a temporal reference point for scheduling meetings or breaks.

## Examples

- I usually go for a walk at lunchtime.
- The office is always quiet at lunchtime because most employees go to the nearby park to eat.
- The museum remains open throughout the day, though the galleries are notably more crowded during lunchtime when local workers visit the temporary exhibitions.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'at' to indicate a specific time, or 'during' to indicate the duration of the break.

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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.
