pot·luck (p?t?l?k?)n.1. Whatever food happens to be available for a meal, especially when offered to a guest: Having arrived unannounced for supper, we had to take potluck.2. A meal at which each guest brings food that is then shared by all. Also called potluck supper.3. Whatever is available at a particular time: The scheduled flight was canceled and passengers had to take potluck on the other airlines.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.pot?luck (?p?t?l?k, -?l?k) n. 1. a meal that happens to be available without special preparation or purchase. 2. Also called pot?luck sup?per. a meal, esp. for a large group, to which participants bring food to be shared. 3. whatever is available or comes one’s way. [1585?95] Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.potluck – Comes from the practice of throwing leftovers in a pot?with luck determining how good the stew would taste.See also related terms for luck.Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.