breakfast

noun

break·​fast ˈbrek-fəst How to pronounce breakfast (audio)
Synonyms of breakfastnext
1
: the first meal of the day especially when taken in the morning
2
: the food prepared for a breakfast
eat your breakfast
breakfast verb
breakfaster noun

Examples of breakfast in a Sentence

I had pancakes for breakfast. Did you have breakfast before you left?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Being late for anything – breakfast, lunch, dinner, a team meeting, a training session – or parking in an unassigned spot, for example. — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026 There will still be free breakfast for elementary schools and K-8 centers, and 121 schools will continue to offer free meals to all students. — Morgan Rynor, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 However, health professionals caution that the quality and source of breakfast protein matter just as much as the overall quantity. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 13 Aug. 2026 Duchess serves dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays and also serves breakfast daily, but not lunch; 682-432-3000. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for breakfast

Word History

Etymology

Middle English brekfast, from the phrase breken fast "to break one's fast, end abstinence from food"

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of breakfast was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing breakfast

Browse Nearby Words

breakfall
breakfast
breakfast bar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Breakfast.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breakfast. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

breakfast

noun
break·​fast ˈbrek-fəst How to pronounce breakfast (audio)
: the first meal of the day
breakfast verb

More from Merriam-Webster on breakfast

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for breakfast

Nglish: Translation of breakfast for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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