Diet

Definition

Diet is both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to the types of food and drink habitually consumed by a person or animal, or a specific eating plan designed to achieve health goals. As a verb, it means to restrict oneself to a specific eating plan, often for weight loss or health improvement.

Parts of Speech

• Noun
• Verb

Pronunciation

American English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdaɪət/
• Respelling: DY-it

British English

• IPA Pronunciation: /ˈdaɪət/
• Respelling: DY-it

Etymology

The word "diet" originates from the Greek "diaita," meaning "way of life," which evolved into Latin "diaeta," referring to a prescribed way of living or eating. It entered English in the Middle Ages, eventually taking on the meaning of regular or restricted eating practices.

Derivatives

• Dietary (adjective)
• Dietitian (noun)
• Dieting (noun/verb)
• Dietetic (adjective)
• Underdiet (verb)

Synonyms

• Nutrition
• Eating plan
• Regimen

Antonyms

• Indulgence
• Feast
• Overeating

Usage

The term "diet" is commonly used to refer to an eating plan, especially in health and nutrition contexts, as in "She follows a vegetarian diet." It also serves as a verb to indicate intentional food restrictions, such as "He started to diet to manage his weight."

Related Terms

• Nutrition: The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.
• Calorie: A unit of energy in food.
• Metabolism: The body’s process of converting food into energy.

Detailed Definitions

Noun

• The habitual food and drink consumed by a person or animal: Refers to the regular eating patterns of an individual or species.
  • Example: "The panda’s diet consists mainly of bamboo."
• A regulated eating plan for health or weight control: Refers to a specific food regimen, often aimed at improving health.
  • Example: "He follows a low-carb diet to manage his diabetes."

Verb

• To follow a specific eating plan: Refers to the act of restricting food intake, often for health or weight goals.
  • Example: "She started to diet before the summer."