First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1eat
verb \ˈēt\
ate \ˈāt, dial or British ˈet\ eat·en \ˈē-tən\ eat·ing
Definition of EAT
transitive verb
1
: to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn
2
a : to destroy, consume, or waste by or as if by eating <expenses ate up the profits> <gadgets that eat up too much space> b : to bear the expense of : take a loss on <the team was forced to eat the rest of his contract>
3
4
: to enjoy eagerly or avidly : lap —used with up <it was an amazing performance and the crowd ate it up>
5
usually vulgar : to perform fellatio or cunnilingus on —often used with out
intransitive verb
1
: to take food or a meal
2
: to affect something by gradual destruction or consumption —usually used with into, away, or at <the loss was really eating at her> <the controversy ate into his support>
— eat·er noun
— eat alive
: to defeat, conquer, or overwhelm completely : crush <was eaten alive by the competition>
— eat one out of house and home
: to consume more than one can easily provide or afford
— eat one's heart out
1
: to grieve bitterly
2
: to be jealous
— eat one's words
: to retract what one has said
— eat out of one's hand
: to accept the domination of another
— eat someone's lunch
: to deprive of profit, dominance, or success
See eat defined for English-language learners
See eat defined for kids
Origin of EAT
Middle English eten, from Old English etan; akin to Old High German ezzan to eat, Latin edere, Greek edmenai
Related to EAT
- Synonyms
- consume, ingest, partake (of), put away, put down, tuck (away or in)
2eat
noun
Definition of EAT
: something to eat : food —usually used in plural
Origin of EAT
Middle English et, from Old English ǣt; akin to Old High German āz food; derivative from the root of 1eat
First Known Use: before 12th century
EAT ONE OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME Defined for Kids
eat
verb \ˈēt\
ate \ˈāt\eat·en \ˈē-tən\eat·ing
Definition of EAT for Kids
1
: to chew and swallow food
2
: to take a meal <Let's eat at home.>
Medical Dictionary
eat
verb \ˈēt\
ate \ˈāt, chiefly British ˈet\ eat·en \ˈēt-ən\ eat·ing
Medical Definition of EAT
transitive verb
1
: to take in through the mouth as food : ingest, chew, and swallow in turn
2
: to consume gradually : corrode
intransitive verb
: to take food or a meal
Learn More About EAT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: eatable (adjective)Previous Word in the Dictionary: easy virtueAll Words Near: eat
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up eat? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).