English · Word Candidate

dietary

/ˈdaɪət(ə)ɹi/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: dietaries

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A regulated diet that excludes or constrains certain types of food, especially for health reasons; also, a book or similar setting out such regulations.

Noun

Examples

In general, beets, carrots, and turnips are all of aphrodisiac value in erotic dietary.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A prescribed meal plan setting out how the inhabitants of an institution (such as a prison, hospital etc.) should be fed, and on what foods.

Noun

Examples

“Do I understand that he asked for more, after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?” “He did, sir,” replied Bumble.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Pertaining to a prescribed diet; (generally), relating to what a person or animal eats.

Adjective

Examples

If you have any dietary requirements, please inform the kitchen staff.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

Comprising a food source.

Adjective

Examples

For example, the antitumour depsipeptide kahalalide F was isolated from the opisthobranch mollusc Elysia rufescens, and is used by both the mollusc and its dietary alga Bryopsis spp.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “dietary” mean?

A regulated diet that excludes or constrains certain types of food, especially for health reasons; also, a book or similar setting out such regulations.

Is “dietary” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.