¹diet

noun di·et \ˈdī-ət\

Definition of DIET

a : food and drink regularly provided or consumed

b : habitual nourishment

c : the kind and amount of food prescribed for a person or animal for a special reason

d : a regimen of eating and drinking sparingly so as to reduce one's weight <going on a diet>

: something provided or experienced repeatedly <a diet of Broadway shows and nightclubs — Frederick Wyatt>

Origin of DIET

Middle English diete, from Anglo-French, from Latin diaeta, from Greek diaita, literally, manner of living, from diaitasthai to lead one's life

First Known Use: 13th century

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

Rhymes with DIET

Byatt, fiat, Hyatt, quiet, riot, striate, Wyatt

²diet

verb

: to eat less food or to eat only particular kinds of food in order to lose weight : to be on a diet

Full Definition of DIET

transitive verb

: to cause to take food : feed

: to cause to eat and drink sparingly or according to prescribed rules

intransitive verb

: to eat sparingly or according to prescribed rules

— di·et·er noun

See diet defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of DIET

14th century

³diet

adjective

: having a smaller number of calories than usual

: intended to help people lose weight

Full Definition of DIET

: reduced in calories <a diet soft drink>

: promoting weight loss (as by depressing appetite) <diet pills>

See diet defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of DIET

1963

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

⁴diet

noun

Definition of DIET

: a formal deliberative assembly of princes or estates

: any of various national or provincial legislatures

Origin of DIET

Middle English diete day's journey, day set for a meeting, from Medieval Latin dieta, literally, daily regimen, diet (taken as a derivative of Latin dies day), from Latin diaeta

First Known Use: 1565

DIETER Defined for Kids