n. 1 an occasion when food is eaten. 2 the food eaten on one occasion. make a meal of 1 treat (a task etc.) too laboriously or fussily. 2 consume as a meal. meals on wheels Brit. a service by which meals are delivered to old people, invalids, etc. meal-ticket 1 a ticket entitling one to a meal, esp. at a specified place with reduced cost. 2 a person or thing that is a source of food or income.
[ OE ml mark, fixed time, meal f. Gmc ]