TV dinner

noun

: a quick-frozen packaged dinner (as of meat, potatoes, and a vegetable) that requires only heating before it is served

Examples of TV dinner in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Hank was in the early running, but actually, eating a TV dinner in front of Elf beats drunk-driving to Ted’s motel room. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2024 Prosecutors, however, presented photographs of the scene that showed nothing was disturbed or out of place in the area around Askew’s body, including a TV dinner tray and a Christmas tree. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 By the end of 1954, Swanson had sold 10 million frozen turkey meals, and the TV dinner industry was born. House Beautiful, 18 Aug. 2023 In the living room, a fireplace burns alongside a one-of-a-kind couch plucked straight from the original Barbie Dreamhouse, with wooden TV dinner trays that pop out seamlessly. Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2023 Using the back gate of my Toyota like a TV dinner tray, the sandwich, chips, soda and cannoli fit spaciously. Danny Palumbo, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2023 Fried chicken, the centerpiece of Eaton’s nostalgic take on the frozen TV dinner ($19), is a perfect example. Sharyn Jackson, Star Tribune, 2 Oct. 2020 But translating this into a lavish shopping experience sounds about as natural as turning a TV dinner into five-star dining. Drew Hutchinson, Bloomberg.com, 3 Aug. 2020 Plush chew toys come in all shapes, from a wine bottle to a TV dinner. oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'TV dinner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from its saving the television viewer from having to interrupt viewing to prepare and serve a meal

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of TV dinner was in 1954

Dictionary Entries Near TV dinner

Cite this Entry

“TV dinner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/TV%20dinner. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

TV dinner

noun
ˌtē-ˌvē-
: a quick-frozen packaged dinner that requires only heating before it is served
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