mealtime
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈiːltaɪm/
US
- /ˈmilˌtaɪm/
Description
- time to eat
- a regular eating time
- a break for food
Mealtime is the time when people eat, or the part of the day set aside for a meal. It can be something simple, like a quick breakfast before work, or something slower, like dinner with family. The idea is not only about eating food but also about taking a break from other things for that part of the day.
The word often points to regular daily eating times, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In a story, someone might look forward to mealtime because it brings comfort, rest, or a chance to be with other people.
Mealtime is the time when a meal is eaten, especially one of the usual meals of the day, such as breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It can refer to a specific point in the daily routine or to the shared occasion built around eating. When people say it is mealtime, they usually mean that it is time to stop what they are doing and eat.
The word is often connected with routine. Schools, hospitals, and homes may all have set mealtimes during the day. In that sense, it is not only about food but also about schedule and structure. A child may know that mealtime means everyone comes to the table, while a worker may think of it as the point when lunch begins.
Mealtime can also carry a social feeling. It may be quiet and ordinary, or warm and full of conversation. Family dinners, holiday meals, and school lunches are all different kinds of mealtime, and each one can suggest comfort, connection, or celebration.
In stories, mealtime often helps show how people live. It can mark peace in the middle of a hard day, show closeness between characters, or set the scene for an important talk. How a person feels about mealtime can reveal a lot about their habits, mood, or situation.
So the word usually means more than the act of eating itself. It points to the time, setting, and feeling that come with a meal, whether that meal is quick and plain or special and shared.
Examples
- 1
Baby routine
The baby usually gets sleepy right after mealtime.
- 2
Family routine
At mealtimes, everyone puts their phones away.
- 3
Work schedule
My work schedule makes regular mealtimes almost impossible.
- 4
School rules
The school changed its mealtime rules after parents complained.
- 5
Dinner conflict
Try not to turn every dinner into a mealtime battle.
Phrase
a mealtime battle
an argument or struggle about eating, often with children
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- mealtimenoun
Forms
- mealtimespluralnoun