1. substance which provides the body with nutrients, sustenance, nourishment. foodfood , n. [oe. fode, as. fōda; akin to icel. f??a, f??i, sw. f?da, dan. & lg. f?de, ohg. fatunga, gr. patei^sthai to eat, and perh. to skr. pā to protect, l. pascere to feed, pasture, pabulum food, e. pasture