Looking up...
the main meal of the day eaten in the evening
What time is dinner?
When is the main evening meal?
She cooked a delicious dinner for the family.
She prepared a tasty main evening meal.
In some cultures, 'dinner' may refer to the midday meal (lunch), but in modern English-speaking contexts, it typically means the evening meal.
a formal evening meal, often as part of an event or celebration
The charity dinner raised over $100,000.
The formal evening meal event raised funds for charity.
Often used in contexts like business events, weddings, or fundraisers.
In British English, 'dinner' can refer to the main meal of the day (sometimes at midday), while in American English, it almost always means the evening meal. Use 'lunch' for the midday meal in American English.
Use 'dinner' for the main evening meal in most English-speaking contexts. If referring to a midday meal, use 'lunch' in American English or clarify context in British English.
From Middle English 'dinere', from Old French 'disner' (to dine), from Late Latin 'disjējūnāre' (to break the fast), from Latin 'dis-' (un-, not) + 'jējūnāre' (to fast). The original sense was 'the first meal of the day' (breakfast), but by the 14th century, it shifted to the main meal of the day, which could be at midday or evening depending on cultural practices.
The timing of 'dinner' varies by culture and region. In British English, 'dinner' often refers to the main meal of the day, which may be at midday (lunch) or evening. In American English, 'dinner' almost always refers to the evening meal, with 'supper' or 'lunch' used for midday meals. In formal contexts, 'dinner' implies a more elaborate meal.