What is the meaning of meal?

1. Food eaten at a particular time: This is the most common meaning. A meal is a planned occasion where people eat food together, usually at a specific time of day (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Examples:

* "We had a delicious meal at the new Italian restaurant."

* "I'm not hungry; I already had a big meal."

2. A single serving of food: This meaning is less common but can be used when referring to a single portion of food, like "a meal of rice and beans."

3. The act of eating: This meaning is also less common and is often used in a more abstract sense, like "The dog finished its meal in seconds."

4. A portion of food served to a specific number of people: This meaning is often used in a commercial context, such as "The catering company offered a variety of meal options for the conference."

Overall, the meaning of "meal" is flexible and depends on the context.