Most words in the English language have more than one simple, or basic, meaning. One example is the word diet. The most general definition of the noun is “a person’s or group’s usual food choices and habits.” In a more specific definition, diet means “an eating plan with only certain kinds or amounts of food.” For instance, a diet is often a plan to lose weight. And as a verb, diet means “to lose weight.” People can “go on a diet,” meaning they are starting a program to lose weight.