potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək 

 sense 1b also  -ˌlək

1

a

: the regular meal available to a guest for whom no special preparations have been made

b

: a communal meal to which people bring food to share

—usually used attributively

a potluck supper

2

: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time

Examples of potluck in a Sentence

He organized a neighborhood potluck for next Saturday.

Recent Examples on the Web

Scott participates in the Special Olympics, tennis, yoga, walking club, karaoke nights, cooking classes and weekly potluck dinners. —Hannah Frances Johansson, CNN, 13 Sep. 2024

Maybe for a potluck dinner party; maybe for a Thanksgiving you host. —Scott Hocker, theweek, 10 Sep. 2024

There are cookie recipes that are great for all occasions, from bake sales and birthday parties to potlucks and picnics. —Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2024

Long-dormant summer memories flickered through my head, of my sisters and cousins running, laughing and playing games in the yard at family potlucks while the dozen or so women of my extended family worked in the kitchen and the men lounged in the shade outside. —Robert Leonard, USA TODAY, 5 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

potluck

noun

pot·​luck ˈpät-ˈlək 

1

a

: a regular meal for which no special preparations have been made

b

: a meal to which people bring food to share

2

: whatever is offered or available in given circumstances or at a given time