Definition of the word take out

The term "take out" has its origins in the early 1900s, particularly in Chinese-American restaurants where it referred to a meal prepared and packaged for customers to take away rather than dine in. The practice of preparing takeout meals became popular as Chinese immigrants who owned restaurants in urban areas recognized the need for convenience, as many of their customers were busy businesspeople and workers who couldn't afford to sit down for a meal in the restaurant. The term "take out" gained prevalence in American English during the mid-20th century, as urbanization, the rise of the automobile, and the emergence of fast-food restaurants transformed the way people approached food consumption. The concept of "takeout" has become an essential part of the modern food industry, including not just Chinese-American but also Mexican, Indian, and other international cuisines, offering flexibility and convenience to customers. In recent years, the term "takeout" has also come to include meals ordered online or through a mobile app, with many restaurants now offering contactless delivery services. With the rise of food delivery apps, "takeout" now has a broader meaning as we see the trend towards contactless transactions as more people adopt a digital lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic.