Menu Meaning
Menu Definition & Usage
A list of dishes available at a restaurant or other establishment, typically organized by category (e.g., appetizers, entrees, desserts).
Examples
- "The waiter handed us the menu, and we started looking for something to order."
- "The menu at this restaurant is diverse, offering both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options."
- "I couldn't decide between the pasta or the steak, the menu had so many delicious choices."
- "She quickly skimmed the menu, hoping to find her favorite dish."
- "We were presented with a digital menu at the modern cafe, where we could order directly from our phone."
A list of options or commands presented on a screen, from which a user can choose to perform various actions in a computer program or operating system.
Examples
- "To open the settings, click on the gear icon in the top menu of the app."
- "The file menu contains options for saving, opening, and printing documents."
- "You can find the 'Print' option in the 'File' menu in most applications."
- "He navigated through the drop-down menu to find the correct settings."
- "The program crashed when I tried to select an option from the 'Help' menu."
A list or selection of items, typically related to an event or experience, other than food and drink.
Examples
- "The event's menu included a variety of activities, from workshops to networking sessions."
- "They had a menu of choices for team-building exercises, allowing us to pick the one we preferred."
- "The wedding had a special menu of songs for the guests to choose from during the reception."
- "The workshop menu outlined different skills you could learn during the day."
- "The resort offers a menu of spa treatments, including massages and facials."
Cultural Context
The word 'menu' comes from the Latin 'minutiae', meaning 'small things', which evolved to mean a detailed list of food choices in a restaurant setting. Menus have been an integral part of dining culture, especially in Western contexts, since the 18th century. In modern times, the word has expanded into technology and other fields to represent any list of choices or options.
The Menu of Choices
Story
The Menu of Choices
One rainy afternoon, Sarah sat in a cozy café, browsing through the digital menu on her tablet. The café, known for its modern touch, had recently switched from paper menus to sleek digital versions. As she scrolled, she found herself overwhelmed by the variety: there was a long list of appetizers, entrees, and desserts, each item described in such a mouthwatering way that she almost couldn't decide. The prices were more reasonable than she expected, and the digital menu even offered recommendations based on her previous visits. At that moment, her friend James, sitting across from her, asked, 'What are you getting?' Sarah smiled and replied, 'I can’t decide between the pasta and the steak. There are too many good choices.' James laughed. 'The menu is more like a list of endless possibilities, huh? It’s not just food; it’s the experience itself.' He scrolled through his own tablet. 'I like how the menu gives you options not just for food, but for drinks, sides, and even dessert pairings.' After a few minutes of debating, Sarah clicked the 'Order' button, and the server appeared soon after. James looked up from his menu. 'It’s like an interface to your experience here, right? A list of choices guiding what your day is going to look like.' Later, when they moved on to a planning meeting for an upcoming event, Sarah found herself again looking at a 'menu' of activities for the day. 'We could offer a menu of sessions, or just let everyone pick their own workshops,' she said, tapping her phone. It was a different kind of menu, but the concept was the same: a selection of options designed to shape the experience. 'At least we don’t have to scroll through the same options we do for lunch,' James said with a grin. 'But in a way, it’s the same: you pick your path, and it shapes your day.'
Related Words
