1.
fast eating; eating quickly
the habit or act of eating food very quickly
Forms
早い (fast, quick) + 食い (eating). The rendaku changes く to ぐ.
SENSE 1 — EATING QUICKLY:
A common bad habit. Health professionals warn that 早食い is associated with 消化不良 (indigestion) and 肥満 (obesity). The recommended opposite is よく噛んで食べる (to chew well).
SENSE 2 — COMPETITIVE EATING:
早食い大会 and 早食い競争 refer to speed-eating contests.