What do folks really mean by a “date” ?

Does a “date” always have to involve romantic feelings, whether told or untold?
I had one-to-one dinners with persons of the other sex for several times in the past, but there’s nothing between me and them. Did those dinners count as “dates” ?

A date is just alone time with another person in which the intent for one of you is sexual/romantic.
You can certainly not reciprocate but if the date ended with the guy expressing sexual intent (i.e. trying to kiss you) then yes, It was a date.

A true date is where both side are knowingly weighing up the possibility of a romantic relationship. One or other may be keener than the other however
There is also the ‘ambiguous date’ where it’s not clear to one or both parties whether it is about possible romance. If only one side is keen they tend to hope it’s a date
And then there is doing something together where its clear to both that it’s on the basis of friendship

I am not sure if the ones I had before qualifies as any of the ones mentioned by you...

I see. It is hard to tell.