meatloaf: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Everyday/Informal (Culinary context)
Quick answer
What does “meatloaf” mean?
A dish of ground meat, typically beef or a mixture of meats, mixed with other ingredients, formed into a loaf shape, and baked.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A dish of ground meat, typically beef or a mixture of meats, mixed with other ingredients, formed into a loaf shape, and baked.
The specific, seasoned loaf-shaped food item itself; can also metaphorically refer to something dense, substantial, or homogenous in form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The dish is more culturally entrenched and common in American domestic cooking. In the UK, it is understood and made, but is less of a staple.
Connotations
US: Strong connotations of home, family, nostalgia, and traditional, economical home cooking. UK: More of a generic description of a type of dish without the same depth of cultural resonance.
Frequency
Substantially more frequent in American English in both spoken and written contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “meatloaf” in a Sentence
[verb] + meatloaf (eat, make, bake, serve)meatloaf + [preposition] + [noun] (meatloaf with gravy, meatloaf for dinner)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “meatloaf” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No common verb use]
American English
- [No common verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No common adverb use]
American English
- [No common adverb use]
adjective
British English
- [No common adjective use]
American English
- [No common adjective use]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in food industry, catering, or restaurant menus.
Academic
Rare, except in cultural studies, sociology, or history discussing American domestic life/foodways.
Everyday
Very common in domestic and culinary contexts, especially in North America.
Technical
Used in culinary arts and food science to describe a specific preparation method.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “meatloaf”
- Spelling as two words ('meat loaf') is sometimes acceptable but less common than the solid compound. Confusing it with 'meatball' (individual spheres) or 'pâté' (finely puréed spread).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is most commonly written as one word ('meatloaf'), though the two-word form ('meat loaf') is also seen and is acceptable.
Meatloaf is coarser, baked in a loaf pan, and served in slices, often hot. Pâté is finely ground or puréed, often contains liver, and is served cold as a spread.
No, by definition it contains meat. A similar dish made from vegetables, grains, or legumes would be called a 'loaf' (e.g., lentil loaf, nut roast).
It became popular due to its economical use of inexpensive ground meat, its ability to stretch meals with fillers like breadcrumbs, and its association with hearty, home-cooked family dinners, especially in the mid-20th century.
A dish of ground meat, typically beef or a mixture of meats, mixed with other ingredients, formed into a loaf shape, and baked.
Meatloaf is usually everyday/informal (culinary context) in register.
Meatloaf: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmiːt.ləʊf/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmiːt.loʊf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[no common idioms with 'meatloaf']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOAF of bread, but made of MEAT. It's shaped like a loaf and sliced like one.
Conceptual Metaphor
FOOD IS COMFORT / THE HOME IS A SOURCE OF NOURISHMENT (via meatloaf as a symbol).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most accurate cultural association for 'meatloaf'?