WordWeb Online

1. Any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissue
   - nutrient
    
2. Any solid substance (as opposed to liquid) that is used as a source of nourishment
   "food and drink"; "solid food and drink";
   - solid food, grub [informal], khana [Asia], nosh [Brit, informal], kai [NZ, informal]
    
3. Anything that provides mental stimulus for thinking
   - food for thought, intellectual nourishment

Derived forms: foods

Type of: cognitive content, content, mental object, solid, substance

Encyclopedia: Food, Hospitality and Services Union