What is each meal of the day called?

December 26, 2025 •

5 min read

Historically, medieval Europeans ate only two meals a day, but the three-meal structure of breakfast, lunch, and dinner became the standard during the Industrial Revolution. Beyond these staples, however, a diverse vocabulary exists for the daily eating schedule.

Quick Summary

This article explores the names and origins of various daily meals, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, supper, and brunch. It also covers how cultural and historical shifts have influenced these mealtime terminologies and customs.

Key Points

Breakfast: The first meal of the day, traditionally eaten in the morning, derives its name from 'breaking the fast' of the night.
Lunch: A midday meal that evolved from the term 'luncheon,' gaining prominence during the Industrial Revolution.
Dinner vs. Supper: The usage of 'dinner' and 'supper' varies regionally and historically, with dinner traditionally being the main meal and supper a lighter, evening one.
Brunch: A portmanteau of 'breakfast' and 'lunch,' this meal is typically enjoyed on weekends and can replace both earlier meals.
Cultural Influence: Factors like the Industrial Revolution, social class, and regional traditions have all played a role in shaping modern meal names and habits.
Meal Etymology: The names of meals have historical roots, with 'dinner' and 'supper' both originating from French words and even sharing a root with 'breakfast'.

The Three Main Meals: A Closer Look

While the main meals are commonly known as breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the definitions and timings can differ significantly across cultures and regions. Understanding the subtle distinctions offers a deeper appreciation for culinary history.

Breakfast

The word 'breakfast' literally means to 'break the fast' of the night. It is the first meal of the day, typically eaten within an hour or two of waking, usually between 6 and 9 a.m.. Breakfast can range from a light, quick affair of toast or cereal to a more substantial 'full English' or American-style plate with eggs, bacon, and sausage. The purpose of breakfast is to refuel the body and mind, setting the tone for the day ahead. A 2018 study noted that consuming a quality breakfast is associated with a lower risk of obesity and can positively impact mood.

Lunch

As a shortened version of 'luncheon,' the term 'lunch' emerged to describe the midday meal. Historically, the main meal of the day was eaten at noon, but with the Industrial Revolution, work schedules shifted, and lunch became a smaller, quicker meal to be consumed during a short break, typically between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.. It serves to provide energy for the afternoon's activities and can consist of anything from a simple sandwich to a more complete, hot dish. In some regions, a school meal served at midday is still referred to as 'dinner'.

Dinner vs. Supper: A Regional and Historical Distinction

The terms 'dinner' and 'supper' often cause confusion and can be used interchangeably, but they have distinct historical roots and regional variations.

Dinner: The word 'dinner' derives from the Old French disner, meaning 'to break one's fast'. It was traditionally the main and most substantial meal of the day. For a long time, dinner was eaten in the middle of the day, but as working hours changed, it shifted to the evening. Today, 'dinner' most commonly refers to the main evening meal, usually eaten between 7 and 9 p.m..
Supper: The term 'supper' originated as a lighter, evening meal, especially when the main meal, or dinner, was eaten at midday. It is derived from the Old French souper, meaning 'evening meal'. Some regions, particularly in the Southern United States and parts of the UK, still use 'supper' to refer to the evening meal, often a less formal affair than dinner.

How Meal Times Have Evolved

Meal patterns have never been static. Ancient societies often had one or two main meals, with meal times and sizes dictated by work and social class. The Roman cena, for instance, was the main meal, eaten in the evening, but could also be a midday meal. It was not until the Industrial Revolution that the now-familiar rhythm of breakfast, lunch, and dinner became commonplace, adapting to factory work schedules. The creation of new, more convenient foods, such as breakfast cereals, also impacted what and when people ate. The blurring of meal lines, with concepts like brunch and all-day dining, continues to shape modern eating habits.

Other Common Meal and Snack Names

Beyond the traditional three, several other meals and eating occasions exist across different cultures and situations. These range from substantial meals to light snacks, each with its own timing and tradition.

Brunch: A hybrid meal combining breakfast and lunch, brunch is typically served in the late morning, often on weekends, and can include elements of both meals. The word is a portmanteau of the two meals' names.
Elevenses: An informal British tradition, elevenses is a mid-morning snack, usually consisting of a drink and a small biscuit or cake, taken around 11 a.m..
Tea: In Britain, 'tea' can refer to a small afternoon meal, featuring sandwiches and cakes, or it can denote a cooked evening meal, depending on the region and social class. The latter is sometimes called 'high tea'.
Tiffin: A light midday meal or snack, particularly in India.
Midnight Snack: A late-night snack, sometimes referred to as a 'fourth meal,' popular among night owls.

Comparison of Major Meal and Snack Types


Term	Typical Timing	Typical Composition	Notes
Breakfast	6-9 a.m.	Cereal, toast, eggs, bacon, fruit	The first meal, 'breaking the fast'.
Brunch	10 a.m.-2 p.m.	Combination of breakfast and lunch foods	Typically enjoyed on weekends or holidays.
Lunch	12-2 p.m.	Sandwich, soup, salad, or small hot meal	Midday meal, shortened from 'luncheon'.
Dinner	7-9 p.m.	Main, typically largest, cooked meal of the day	Main evening meal in most modern contexts.
Supper	Early evening (6-7 p.m.) or late night	Lighter, less formal evening meal or snack	Distinct from dinner, but often used interchangeably.
Elevenses	Around 11 a.m.	Snack, e.g., biscuit and tea	Traditional British mid-morning break.
Afternoon Tea	Around 3-4 p.m.	Light meal with sandwiches and cakes	Distinctly British tradition.

Cultural Differences in Meal Naming

Meal terminology is not universal. Regional dialects and historical class differences can significantly alter the names used for different eating occasions. In the UK, for instance, a long-standing class divide influenced the names. Working-class families often called the midday meal 'dinner' and the evening meal 'tea,' while upper-class families used 'lunch' and 'dinner,' respectively. In the American South, it is still common for the midday meal to be called 'dinner' and the evening meal 'supper'. The specific names often reflect not just the time of day, but also the formality and size of the meal.

Conclusion

While most people stick to a predictable schedule of breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the names of our meals are more dynamic than they seem. From the medieval practice of 'breaking the fast' in the middle of the day to the modern weekend phenomenon of brunch, meal nomenclature has evolved with societal shifts in work, social class, and culture. The next time you sit down to eat, consider the rich history behind the words for the food on your plate.

For additional historical context on the evolution of meal times, explore The Food Timeline website for in-depth information about culinary history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Historically, dinner was the main, most substantial meal of the day, which was often eaten at midday, while supper was a lighter, later evening meal. Today, particularly in the UK and Southern US, some still use 'supper' for the evening meal, though 'dinner' is the more common term for the main meal in the evening across much of the world.

The word 'breakfast' is a literal compound word that originated in the 15th century. It comes from 'break' and 'fast,' referring to the first meal of the day that breaks the overnight fast.

While brunch is most popular in modern culture, it originated in England in the late 19th century and became more widespread in the United States in the 1930s. It was conceived as a late-morning meal for those who might have stayed up late on a Saturday night.

'Elevenses' is a British tradition of a light snack and drink, usually had around 11 a.m. 'Afternoon tea' is another British custom, a light meal of sandwiches and cakes typically served around 4 p.m., while 'high tea' can refer to a more substantial early evening meal.

Historically, dinner was the main meal of the day, often served at midday. This tradition persisted longer in working-class and rural areas, as it was more practical to eat the biggest meal in the middle of a long workday. In some regions, this terminology continues to be used today.

For much of history, people ate one or two meals a day, with the main meal often being midday. The shift to a three-meal-a-day schedule of breakfast, lunch, and dinner became the standard during the Industrial Revolution, driven by new work schedules and the need for regular energy throughout the day.

Yes, the term 'tiffin,' which refers to a light lunch or midday snack, is still commonly used in India, particularly in Mumbai. Tiffin carriers are a famous sight, delivering boxed lunches to office workers.