joint meal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "joint meal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a meal that is shared or eaten together by multiple people, often in a communal or collaborative setting. Example: "We decided to have a joint meal to celebrate our team's success, where everyone brought a dish to share."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Tell both parties that the other will be present and depending on their current relationship, either divide your post-graduation time fairly between them or arrange a joint meal".

The Guardian

Each class session ended with a joint meal, during which discussions among the students ranged from fasting during Ramadan and what happens during communion, according to Near Neighbour's communications officer Tim BurTim-Jones.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On the surface, life in the shelters seems slow and uneventful, but already there is a vibrant sense of community: porch side gossip, joint meals being prepared behind the neat rows of wooden housing structures, neighborly interaction just as in any small town.

Unicef

Matt dreams, above all, of opening his very own takeaway joint, serving decent meals to local workers in a rundown corner of Cape Town.

The Guardian - Books

But we find ways to make the meals joint efforts.

Huffington Post

In 1992, the artist Rirkrit Tiravanija did something similar, famously turning a New York gallery into a Thai curry joint, but Jeremijenko's meal was both more whimsical and more pointed, meant to inspire what she has called an eco-mindshift.

The New York Times - Magazine

Page D6 $25 and Under India Brings the Truck Stop to You In India, a dhaba is a roadside joint, home to vibrant meals and cots for a snooze afterward, writes Oliver Schwaner-Albright.

The New York Times

Also chipolatas, whole ham, pork joint – whatever comprises your main meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He takes the film crew on his personal culinary tour of Houston, from his three-doughnut breakfast to a 10 a.m. burger and fries to his lunch at a steak joint that promises a free meal to any diner who can polish off a 32-ounce deep-fried steak and French fries (not a problem).

The New York Times

The film associated itself with McDonald 'sto provide a discount of to customers buying a meal at the joint.

Wikipedia

A handful of activists showed up to Fiola, a glitzy DC Italian joint, partway through Cruz's meal and crowded around his table, NBC Washington reports.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When planning an event involving food, consider using "joint meal" to emphasize the collaborative or shared nature of the dining experience, especially when different groups or parties are involved.

Common error

Avoid using "joint meal" when referring to a meal at a restaurant described as a "joint" (e.g., burger joint). While technically correct, it may lead to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "joint meal" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. The examples show it describing a shared dining experience, whether planned or spontaneous.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

22%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "joint meal" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a shared dining experience, often implying collaboration or community. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness. Although its frequency is relatively rare, it appears mainly in news and formal business contexts. Related phrases include "shared meal" and "communal meal". When using this phrase, consider the context and audience to ensure the tone is appropriate, particularly to differentiate from uses involving informal "joints".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared meal

Focuses on the act of sharing food, implying collaboration in preparation or consumption, more general and widely applicable.

communal meal

Emphasizes the community aspect of dining together, often in a more formal or organized setting.

group dinner

Highlights the gathering of a group for dinner, less formal and more specific to the evening meal.

potluck dinner

Indicates a specific type of shared meal where each participant contributes a dish.

shared lunch

Specifies that the shared meal takes place at lunchtime.

joint supper

More specific to supper, it implies a supper which is shared.

common repast

A more formal and somewhat archaic way to describe a shared meal.

collective supper

Emphasizes the collaborative aspect of the evening meal, similar to communal but less common.

collaborative meal

Highlights the cooperation involved in preparing or enjoying the meal together.

combined feast

Suggests a large and elaborate shared meal, often for a special occasion.

FAQs

How can I use "joint meal" in a sentence?

You can use "joint meal" to describe a meal that is shared by two or more parties. For example: "They arranged a "joint meal" to discuss the terms of the agreement".

What's the difference between "joint meal" and "shared meal"?

"Joint meal" and "shared meal" are very similar, but "joint meal" often implies a more formal or organized collaboration, whereas "shared meal" is more general.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "joint meal"?

While grammatically sound, consider your audience. In very informal settings, simpler phrases like "group dinner" or "shared meal" might be more appropriate.

What are some alternatives to "joint meal" for business contexts?

Depending on the setting, consider "business lunch", "working dinner", or "corporate dinner" if you need a more formal tone.