any solid substance (as opposed to liquid) that is used as a source of nourishment
"food and drink"
anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking
"While he was waiting for his meal, a good book served as food for his mind during the long afternoon."
Any solid substance that can be consumed by living organisms, especially by eating, in order to sustain life.
"After a long hike through the forest, we finally found a spot where we could eat our packed food and rest before continuing our journey."
In plain English: Food is anything you eat to give your body energy and help it grow.
"She packed a healthy lunch for her son's school."
Usage: Use "food" to refer to any edible substance consumed for nourishment, such as the meal you just ate or the ingredients in your pantry. Avoid using it to describe non-edible items like fuel, even if they are chemically similar to what living things eat.
The word "food" comes from Old English fōda, which traces its roots back to the Proto-Indo-European root peh₂- meaning "to guard, graze, or feed." While related words exist across many Germanic languages and even Latin, the term entered modern English through Middle English with the same core meaning of sustenance.