Definition of "meat" in English

noun

1. (uncountable) The flesh (muscle tissue) of an animal used as food, or a food designed to replicate its taste and texture (like plant-based meat).

   • A large portion of domestic meat production comes from animals raised on factory farms.
   • The homesteading teenager shot a deer to supply his family with wild meat for the winter.

2. (countable) A type of meat, by anatomic position and provenance.

   • The butchery's profit rate on various meats varies greatly.

3. (now archaic, dialectal) Food, for animals or humans, especially solid food. See also meat and drink.

4. (now rare) A type of food, a dish.

5. (archaic) A meal.

6. (obsolete) Meal; flour.

7. (uncountable) Any relatively thick, solid part of a fruit, nut etc.

   • The apple looked fine on the outside, but the meat was not very firm.

8. (slang, vulgar) A penis.

9. (colloquial) The best or most substantial part of something.

10. (sports) The sweet spot of a bat or club (in cricket, golf, baseball etc.).

    • He hit it right on the meat of the bat.

11. (slang) A meathead.

    • Throw it in here, meat.

12. (Australian Aboriginal) A totem, or (by metonymy) a clan or clansman which uses it.

    • 1993, J. Janson, Gunjies That’s a beautiful goanna. […]. He’s my meat, can’t eat him.