From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbreakfastbreak‧fast /ˈbrekfəst/ ●●● S2 W2 noun [countable, uncountable] DFMEALthe meal you have in the morning We had bacon and eggs for breakfast. I never eat breakfast. After a hearty breakfast (=large breakfast), we set out for a hike. a light breakfast (=small breakfast) a working breakfast (=a breakfast at which you talk about business) —breakfast verb [intransitive] → bed and breakfast, continental breakfast, English breakfast, → wedding breakfast at wedding(1), → make a dog’s breakfast of something at dog1(8)COLLOCATIONSverbshave/eat breakfastPaul got up, washed and had breakfast.have something for breakfastWhat do you usually have for breakfast?ADJECTIVES/NOUN + breakfast a big breakfastMost people don’t eat a big breakfast nowadays.a good/proper breakfast (=big and healthy)I think kids need a good breakfast before they go to school.a hearty breakfast written (=big)The price includes a hearty breakfast.a small/light breakfastShe ate a light breakfast of toast and coffee.an English/a full breakfast (=a big breakfast with bacon, egg, toast etc – used especially in hotels)A lot of people like to have an English breakfast on holiday.a cooked/fried breakfast (=bacon, egg, toast etc)Do you feel like having a cooked breakfast?a buffet breakfast (=one in a hotel, where you serve yourself)A buffet breakfast is served in the hotel's elegant dining room.a continental breakfast (=coffee and bread with butter and jam)Continental breakfast can be served in your room.a quick/hasty/hurried breakfastI grabbed a quick breakfast and ran to the bus stop.a long/leisurely breakfast (=not hurried)On Sunday mornings I like to have a leisurely breakfast.an early/late breakfastWe had an early breakfast and left before 7.30.a working breakfast (=at which you talk about business)She suggested we meet at 8.30 for a working breakfast.breakfast + NOUNthe breakfast dishesDid you put the breakfast dishes in the dishwasher?the breakfast things (=dishes, packets etc)Dad was clearing the breakfast things away.a breakfast table/roomThe house has a large kitchen and a breakfast room.breakfast cerealMany breakfast cereals are high in sugar.breakfast timeI don’t like talking at breakfast time.breakfast television/TV (=programmes on television in the early morning)The children all eat their cereal in front of breakfast television. GRAMMAR: Patterns with breakfastfor breakfast• You eat something for breakfast: I had toast and coffee for breakfast. ✗Don’t say: At breakfast I had toast and coffee.at breakfast• You use at breakfast to talk about something that happens while you are eating breakfast: I saw her this morning at breakfast.
Examples from the Corpus
breakfast• After breakfast we went for a walk on the beach.• After breakfast I ventured forth, and was at once overwhelmed by the beauty and the scale of the buildings.• The best it can offer is bed and breakfast.• During breakfast, I usually read the paper.• I have been waiting two hours for breakfast, and I am dripping wet.• What do you want for breakfast - cereal or toast?• He had breakfast in the kitchen with Campbell, while Bonita got her through breakfast and ready for school.• George was having his breakfast when the phone rang.• A lavish breakfast buffet, included in the room rate, is served on a patio overlooking the beach.• It would take a time to catch and then she could heat the water & cook Alisdair's breakfast.light breakfast• The volunteers fasted overnight, or for six hours after a light breakfast if the study was carried out in the afternoon.• The race morning East a light breakfast, but don't starve yourself.• An evening snack and light breakfast are included.Origin breakfast (1400-1500) break + FAST4 