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.
Open for breakfast, Sunday brunch (a buffet sometimes accompanied by live jazz), lunch, and dinner, The Bistro serves American classics, with a natural emphasis on seafood. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026 Both Weir and Khan have expressed their wishes for the reinstatement of tax-free shopping (abolished in 2021) for overseas visitors — a proposal that was met with cheers at the BFC’s fashion week breakfast this year. — Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026 Simplify Breakfast With Grab-and-Go Options Mornings can be hectic, which means breakfast gets pushed to the bottom of the to-do list. — Caitlin Beale, HEALTH, 29 Oct. 2026 Similar to the breakfast menu, there are signature sandwiches and the option to customize. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 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

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