Potluck vs. Potlatch — What's the Difference?

A potluck is a communal gathering where each guest or group contributes a different, often homemade, dish of food to be shared. Other names for a "potluck" include: potluck dinner, pitch-in, shared lunch, spread, faith supper, carry-in dinner, covered-dish-supper, fuddle, Jacob's Join, and fellowship meal.

A potlatch is a gift-giving feast practiced by Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast of Canada and the United States, among whom it is traditionally the primary governmental institution, legislative body, and economic system. This includes the Heiltsuk, Haida, Nuxalk, Tlingit, Makah, Tsimshian, Nuu-chah-nulth, Kwakwaka'wakw, and Coast Salish cultures.

Whatever food happens to be available for a meal, especially when offered to a guest

A ceremonial feast among certain Native American peoples of the northwest Pacific coast, as in celebration of a marriage or accession, at which the host distributes gifts according to each guest's rank or status. Between rival groups the potlatch could involve extravagant or competitive giving and destruction by the host of valued items as a display of superior wealth.

A meal at which each guest brings food that is then shared by all. Also called potluck supper.

A ceremony amongst certain indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest in which gifts are bestowed upon guests and personal property is destroyed in a show of generosity and wealth.

Whatever is available at a particular time

A communal meal to which guests bring dishes to share; a potluck.

(dated) A meal, especially one offered to a guest, consisting of whatever food is available.

(transitive) To give; especially, to give as a gift during a potlatch ceremony.

(by extension) Whatever is available in a particular situation.

(intransitive) To carry out or take part in a potlatch ceremony.

A shared meal consisting of whatever guests have brought (sometimes without prior arrangement); a potlatch; also, a dish of food brought to such a meal.

Among the Kwakiutl, Chimmesyan, and other Indians of the northwestern coast of North America, a ceremonial distribution by a man of gifts to his own and neighboring tribesmen, often, formerly, to his own impoverishment. Feasting, dancing, and public ceremonies accompany it.

(obsolete) The last draft or portion of an alcoholic beverage in a pot or other drinking vessel.

Hence, a feast given to a large number of persons, often accompanied by gifts.

(intransitive) To take part in a potluck, where each participant brings a meal to be shared by all.

Whatever may chance to be in the pot, or may be provided for a meal.

Whatever happens to be available especially when offered to an unexpected guest or when brought by guests and shared by all;