What does gastronomy mean?
Gastronomy is the art or practice of good cooking and eating, with particular attention to the techniques, traditions, and social meaning of food. It usually has a cultured or prestigious tone and is common in culinary criticism, travel writing, hospitality, and discussions of regional food traditions. The term can designate either the field as a whole or the characteristic cuisine of a place or historical period. A writer might use gastronomy when discussing a national tradition of cooking and eating, while “cuisine” often puts more emphasis on the foods and cooking styles themselves. Gastronomy also suggests attention to ingredients, technique, presentation, and the customs surrounding meals, though it does not necessarily imply expensive food. Its Greek roots mean literally “stomach law,” reflecting the longstanding attempt to treat eating as both bodily pleasure and ordered cultural practice. Because it combines culinary description with broader ideas about culture and society, gastronomy is especially useful in essays, reviews, tourism, and food history.
nounThe art or practice of cooking and eating good food, especially as a subject of cultural and social significance. By extension, it can mean the cuisine or food culture of a particular place or period.
- The art or practice of good cooking and eating, especially in relation to food's cultural and social significance.
- The cuisine or characteristic food culture of a particular country, region, or historical period.
"The restaurant became famous for its gastronomy and its elegant interpretation of regional ingredients."
"The city's gastronomy draws heavily on seafood, olive oil, and regional herbs."
"Her lecture explores gastronomy as an expression of national identity."
Usually gastronomy is uncountable. The plural gastronomies is uncommon and is used chiefly when referring to distinct regional or historical culinary traditions.
"The book compares the distinct gastronomies of France and Italy."
Gastronomy literally means “stomach law”: it turns the act of eating into a systematic and celebrated art.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gastronomy come from?
English borrowed the word from French gastronomie, which combines the Greek gastēr, meaning “belly” or “stomach,” with nomos, meaning “law” or “custom.” The compound originally conveyed a systematic art or science of eating, while related English words include gastronome, gastronomic, and gastric.
Related word forms
How gastronomy is actually used
Generally formal and often prestigious, especially in culinary, travel, hospitality, and cultural writing. It normally denotes a broader culinary tradition or field rather than an individual dish or meal.
Easily confused with gastronomy
Gastronomy concerns food, cooking, and the culture of eating, whereas astronomy concerns celestial objects, space, and the scientific study of the universe.