A vessel such as a plate for holding or serving food, often flat with a depressed region in the middle.
2
The contents of such a vessel.
a dish of stew
3
(metonym) A specific type of prepared food.
a vegetable dish
4
(in the plural) Tableware (including cutlery, etc, as well as crockery) that is to be or is being washed after being used to prepare, serve and eat a meal.