# dim sum

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈdɪm.ˈsʌm/

## Definitions
1. A Cantonese-style meal traditionally eaten in the morning or early afternoon, comprising tea and food typically placed in small steamer baskets or on small plates, and often served from carts that move around from table to table in a restaurant.
2. The food served at a dim sum meal, typically including dumplings, seafood, and desserts.

## Etymology
Borrowed from Cantonese 點心／点心 (dim² sam¹), literally “to touch the heart gently; to refresh the heart”.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dim-sum