buffet

1 of 4

noun (1)

buf·​fet ˈbə-fət How to pronounce buffet (audio)
1
: a blow especially with the hand
2
: something that strikes with telling force

buffet

2 of 4

verb

buf·​fet ˈbə-fət How to pronounce buffet (audio)
buffeted; buffeting; buffets

transitive verb

1
: to strike sharply especially with the hand : cuff
2
: to strike repeatedly : batter
the waves buffeted the shore
3
: to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows
schools being buffeted by budget cuts

intransitive verb

: to make one's way especially under difficult conditions

buffet

3 of 4

noun (2)

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio) bü-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
 British especially  ˈbü-ˌfā
plural buffets
1
furniture : sideboard sense 1
2
a
: a counter for refreshments
went back to the buffet for a second helping
b
chiefly British : a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in a railway station)
c
: a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service
a restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet
3
: an assortment of options or offerings : variety
Once you're up there among the clouds, you'll have a buffet of skiing options.Brad Wetzler

buffet

4 of 4

adjective

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio) bü-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
 British especially  ˈbü-ˌfā
: served informally especially as a buffet (see buffet entry 3 sense 2c)
a buffet meal
buffet luncheons

Examples of buffet in a Sentence

Noun (1) delivered a powerful buffet to the side of the prisoner's head Verb The strong winds buffeted the ship. fierce winds buffeted the small sailboat Noun (2) a buffet completed the kitchen set
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Philadelphia chef Reuben Asaram channeled an Indian buffet and San Antonio chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin packed hers with crunchy wheat noodles. Jessica Boehm, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024 Or just eat at the Hilton Garden Inn’s restaurant, Coast 6450, which serves shrimp tacos for dinner and a hot buffet for breakfast. Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
The City Council voted to put Charter Amendment ER on the ballot after a string of corruption cases buffeted City Hall. David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024 In addition to suffering the consequences of myopic economic thinking, central banks have also been buffeted by dramatic political and economic changes. Kenneth S. Rogoff, Foreign Affairs, 24 Oct. 2022
Adjective
Customers can expect to see non-buffet-style food options, and social distancing will likely require a reduction in the number of people allowed in the usually crowded lounges. Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020 See all Example Sentences for buffet 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buffet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, diminutive of buffe blow

Verb

Middle English buffeten, verbal derivative of buffet buffet entry 1

Noun (2)

borrowed from French, going back to Old French, "stool, table, counter," of uncertain origin

Adjective

adjective derivative of buffet entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of buffet was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near buffet

Cite this Entry

“Buffet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffet. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

buffet

1 of 3 noun
buf·​fet ˈbəf-ət How to pronounce buffet (audio)
: a blow especially with the hand

buffet

2 of 3 verb
: to pound repeatedly : batter

buffet

3 of 3 noun
buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio) bü-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
ˈbü-ˌfā
1
2
: a meal set out on a sideboard, table, or countertop for guests to serve themselves
Etymology

Noun

Middle English buffet "a blow with the hand," derived from early French buffe "a blow"

Noun

French

More from Merriam-Webster on buffet

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