Breakfast is the first meal you eat after waking up.

What people eat for breakfast varies wildly around the world. In America, breakfast might mean eggs, pancakes, or cereal. In Japan, people often eat rice, fish, and miso soup. In France, breakfast is typically light: a croissant with butter and jam. Some families eat a big breakfast before school and work, while others just grab something quick.

Breakfast can be a noun or a verb. You might say “I had a big breakfast” or “We breakfasted together before the trip.”

Many people consider breakfast important fuel for the day ahead, giving your body and brain energy after hours without food. Some skip it entirely, others never miss it. Athletes often eat substantial breakfasts before competitions. The phrase breakfast of champions sometimes describes a particularly hearty morning meal, though it's also used jokingly when someone eats leftover pizza or something unusual in the morning.