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foodstuff
noun
food·stuff
ˈfüd-ˌstəf
: a substance with food value
specifically
: the raw material of food before or after processing
Synonyms
Examples of foodstuff in a Sentence
stocked up on candles and foodstuffs before the hurricane
Recent Examples on the Web
Ancient Egyptians began using salt in this way by around 2000 B.C.E, and its likely that it was used well before that to keep a wide variety of foodstuffs edible in the absence of modern tech like refrigerators.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 May 2024
On top of that, dehydrating foodstuff—the best preservation method for perishables sent to space—removes vital nutrients.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2024
Wares range from household goods to fashion and foodstuffs and are sourced from long-standing businesses around Japan’s 47 prefectures, such as nostalgia-inducing enamel coffee kettles from Tochigi, urushi lacquer bowls from Ishikawa and stationery made from washi paper in Toyama.
—Chris Schalkx, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2024
Yes, most of us know that doughnuts and chocolate are full of sugar, but those big food companies also lace many of their other, less obvious foodstuffs with sugars.
—Hannah Coates, Vogue, 2 May 2024
But times have changed and pop culture no longer compares women to foodstuffs.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024
Researchers long believed that the production of pottery kicked off alongside the development of agriculture, enabling farmers to store different foodstuffs.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 29 Feb. 2024
The top-performing subsectors were semiconductors, foodstuffs, and technical hardware equipment.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
Milk and other dairy products, non-dairy milk (such as soy and almond), and some cereals are common foodstuffs fortified with vitamin D2.
—Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foodstuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1872, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near foodstuff
Cite this Entry
“Foodstuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foodstuff. Accessed 23 May. 2024.
Kids Definition
foodstuff
noun
food·stuff
ˈfüd-ˌstəf
: a substance with food value
especially
: a specific nutrient (as protein or fat)
Medical Definition
foodstuff
noun
food·stuff
ˈfüd-ˌstəf
: a substance with food value
especially
: a specific nutrient (as a fat or protein)
More from Merriam-Webster on foodstuff
Nglish: Translation of foodstuff for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of foodstuff for Arabic Speakers
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