What does luncheon mean?
Luncheon refers to a light meal eaten in the middle of the day, typically between breakfast and dinner. It can be a casual or formal affair, and is often used in business or social settings. While 'lunch' is a more commonly used term in modern English, 'luncheon' is still used in certain contexts, such as formal events or historical references. The word has a somewhat old-fashioned tone, but is still widely recognized and used. In general, luncheon implies a more substantial or formal meal than 'snack' or 'light meal', but less formal than 'dinner'.
nounA light meal eaten in the middle of the day, typically between breakfast and dinner.
- A light meal eaten in the middle of the day
- A formal or special meal eaten in the middle of the day
"She invited her colleagues to a luncheon at the new restaurant downtown."
"The company hosts a luncheon for its employees every Friday."
"The charity luncheon raised thousands of dollars for the local hospital."
The plural form 'luncheons' is used for countable, formal events or multiple meals.
"The charity hosted several luncheons throughout the year to raise funds."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of luncheon
The word 'luncheon' originated in the 14th century, likely derived from the Old French word 'luncheon', which referred to a piece of food eaten between meals. It is related to the word 'lunch', which has a similar meaning. Over time, 'luncheon' developed into a distinct term for a light meal eaten in the middle of the day.
How luncheon is actually used
Luncheon is often used in formal or old-fashioned contexts, while 'lunch' is more commonly used in everyday conversation.