meat Definition

meat
noun

1. The flesh of any animal used as food. See also red meat, white meat, game¹ noun 10.
2. The basic or most important part; the essence.

Thesaurus: essence, substance, gist, point; marrow, core, crux, kernel, heart.
3. In something said or written: substance or content.
4. old use
Food in general; a meal.

Derivative: meatless
adj

Idiom: meat and drink to someone

A source of enjoyment to them.

Their basic means of support.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon mete.