snack

1 of 2

noun

ˈsnak How to pronounce snack (audio)
Synonyms of snack
: a light meal : food eaten between regular meals
also : food suitable for snacking

snack

2 of 2

verb

snacked; snacking; snacks

intransitive verb

: to eat a snack

Examples of snack in a Sentence

Noun He had a snack of chips and dip. I didn't have time for lunch so I just grabbed a quick snack. peanuts, potato chips, and other snack foods Verb She tries not to snack between meals. I'll just snack on an apple if I'm hungry.
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.
Noun
Add in the textural blend of crunch from the nuts and chewy from the pineapple, and this has quickly become my go-to midday desk snack. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026 Throughout the flight, premium economy passengers have access to substantial snacks like petit fours or cup-style noodles usually reserved for business class only. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026
Verb
The nostalgic crunchy-yet-pillowy texture, mixed with the tangy snap of the dill pickle flavor, made this my new go-to snack. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Aug. 2026 Researchers at Penn State and Cornell found that participants ate 28% less food when snacking on spicy salsa compared to a mild version. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for snack

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English snak bite, from snaken to bite, perhaps from Middle Dutch snacken to snap at — more at snatch

First Known Use

Noun

1757, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snack was in 1757

Phrases Containing snack

Rhymes for snack

See All Rhymes for snack

Browse Nearby Words

snab
snack
snack bar
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snack. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

snack

noun
ˈsnak
: a light meal : lunch

More from Merriam-Webster on snack

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for snack

Nglish: Translation of snack for Spanish Speakers

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