restaurant

noun

res·​tau·​rant ˈre-stə-ˌränt 

-stränt

also -st(ə-)rənt, 

-stərnt

: a business establishment where meals or refreshments may be purchased

Synonyms of restaurant

• diner
• grill
• cafeteria

Examples of restaurant in a Sentence

when we get sick of cooking dinner at home, we like to go out to eat at a nice restaurant

Recent Examples on the Web

The staff are attentive and put in a lot of effort, ready to share tips and favourite restaurants, and really go the extra mile to make your stay pleasant and memorable. — Julia Wytrazek, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026

Even Zohran Mamdani follows her, as regularly pointed out by the Instagram account for Jean’s, a NoHo club and restaurant that served a drink named for her. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026

Jett followed the victim outside the restaurant, where prosecutors allege the argument escalated into a physical altercation. — Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026

Although Archway doesn’t have its own restaurant on-site, the property is located in the epicenter of Philadelphia’s buzziest dining corridor, with dozens of cafés, wine bars, and lauded restaurants just steps away. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "restorative food or drink, public establishment where food and drink may be purchased," noun derivative from present participle of restaurer "to repair, refresh, renew," going back to Old French restorer, restaurer — more at restore

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing restaurant

• Chinese restaurant syndrome
• restaurant car

Rhymes for restaurant

• commandant
• confidant
• conodont
• debutante
• nonchalant
• avant
• croissant
• detente
• entente
• passant
• savant
• storefront

Kids Definition

restaurant

noun

res·​tau·​rant ˈres-t(ə-)rənt 

-tə-ˌränt

: a business place where meals or refreshments may be bought

Etymology

from French restaurant "food that restores, restaurant," from restaurer "to restore, renew"