appetite

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A desire to eat food or consume drinks.

   “And I return with an excellent appetite. There can be no question, my dear Watson, of the value of exercise before breakfast.”

   “The most rapid and most seductive transition in all human nature is that which attends the palliation of a ravenous appetite. There is something humiliating about it.”

   “Though the breweries were forced to shut down, the dry spell did little more than whet the public's appetite for beer: Records show that within the first 24 hours after Congress lifted the ban Prohibition] in 1933, Americans guzzled 1 million barrels of the stuff.”

   “Biotics possess extraordinary abilities, but they must live with minor inconveniences. The most obvious issue is getting adequate nutrition. Creating biotic mass effects takes such a toll on metabolism that active biotics develop ravenous appetites. The standard Alliance combat ration for a soldier is 3000 calories per day; biotics are given 4500, as well as a canteen of potent energy drink for quick refreshment after hard combat.”

2. (countable, uncountable)Any strong desire; an eagerness or longing.

   “If God had given to eagles an appetite to swim.”

   “To gratify the vulgar appetite for the marvellous.”

   “Conway says there had long been an outline plan to build a new station in Belfast, to replace Great Victoria Street station, but also to bring the Europa bus station into that to create a fully integrated transport hub. The team soon realised that there was a real appetite for this among the public of Northern Ireland, as well as a desire to include active travel, such as more cycle parking and better pedestrian access.”

3. (countable, uncountable)The desire for some personal gratification, either of the body or of the mind.

   “appetite for reading”

   “The object of appetite is whatsoever sensible good may be wished for; the object of will is that good which reason does lead us to seek.”