Dinner is the main meal of the day, though exactly when people eat it depends on where they live and their family's schedule. In many American homes, dinner happens in the evening after school and work, when the whole family gathers around the table. Some families eat dinner at 5:30, others at 7:00 or even later.

For centuries, people often ate their biggest meal in the middle of the day. Farm families would come in from the fields for a large midday dinner, then have a lighter supper in the evening. Today, many people use “dinner” and “supper” to mean the same thing, though some families still use supper for the evening meal and dinner for any large, formal meal regardless of time.

What makes something dinner is its substance and importance in the day, not the hour on the clock. It's usually the most substantial meal, with multiple courses or dishes, and often the time when families talk about their day. A fancy restaurant might serve dinner starting at 6:00 PM, while a holiday dinner might happen in the early afternoon. Sunday dinner at Grandma's house could be at 1:00, but it's still called dinner because it's the main event of the day.