What does takeaway mean?
A takeaway is the main conclusion, insight, or point to remember from a discussion, presentation, report, or other piece of communication. The word often introduces a single result that summarizes a longer exchange: for example, “The key takeaway is that demand has continued to grow.” In British English, takeaway also means a meal or food bought from a restaurant and eaten elsewhere, although North American speakers usually say “takeout” for food consumed away from the premises. A third, less frequent British sense is a portable telephone. The metaphorical sense became especially prominent in business, technology, and media contexts during the late twentieth century. It is useful because it names both the central idea of a discussion and, in one common regional meaning, a meal that can conveniently be carried away.
The principal conclusion, insight, or point arising from a discussion, presentation, report, or other communication.
"The audience identified improved communication as the main takeaway from the conference."
Common in professional, academic, and media contexts, especially in the expression “key takeaway.”
Food or a meal bought from a restaurant or other food business for consumption away from the premises.
"The café offers a wide selection of sandwiches and other takeaways."
Especially common in British and Indian English; North American English generally uses “takeout.”
A portable telephone.
"He called the office from his takeaway."
This sense is uncommon and chiefly associated with British English.
The plural is used for multiple conclusions or insights, and also for multiple meals or food items obtained for consumption away from a restaurant.
"The report's main takeaways were clearer planning and closer cooperation."
A takeaway can be a meal to go or the central point of a meeting — two useful ideas hiding behind one word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of takeaway
The word combines the familiar verb “take” with the particle “away,” reflecting the idea of extracting or carrying something from a discussion or a place. Its figurative use for the principal point of a discussion developed during the twentieth century, while the food sense arose from the earlier idea of food taken away from a restaurant. Both elements belong to a wider Germanic word family that includes forms such as “intake,” “retake,” and “uptake.”
How takeaway is actually used
In discussions of presentations, reports, and meetings, the word is common in professional and academic contexts. As a noun meaning food consumed away from a restaurant, it is especially common in British and Indian English; North American English more often uses “takeout.”
Easily confused with takeaway
As two words, “take away” is a phrasal verb meaning to remove or carry something elsewhere, while “takeaway” is a noun meaning a conclusion or, in British usage, food bought to eat away from a restaurant.