restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌre-stə-rə-ˈtər 

variants or less commonly restauranteur

ˌre-stə-ˌrän-ˈtər 

: the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

Did you know?

Restaurateur Has French Roots

Restaurateur and restaurant are French words from Latin restaurare, meaning "to restore." Of the two words, restaurant is more common—a fact that may have influenced the development of the variant spelling restauranteur for restaurateur. Some people consider restauranteur to be an error, but it is still on the menu as an acceptable word choice.

Examples of restaurateur in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This omakase-only spot from Venezuelan restaurateur and art dealer Alvaro Perez Miranda, who also owns the Miami restaurants Hiyakawa, Wabi Sabi and Midorie, is led by chef and co-owner Masayuki Komatsu, who was executive chef at Hiyakawa since 2020. —Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 19 Apr. 2024

But many restaurateurs feel like stars are handed out for more than just what’s on the table. —Lily O'Neill, The Denver Post, 18 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French restaurateur, from Late Latin restaurator restorer, from Latin restaurare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər 

variants also restauranteur

-ˌrän- 

: a person who owns or runs a restaurant