sommelier

noun

som·​me·​lier ˌsə-məl-ˈyā 

plural sommeliers ˌsə-məl-ˈyā(z) 

: a waiter in a restaurant who has charge of wines and their service : a wine steward

Examples of sommelier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Over time, visits evolved into lasting friendships with chefs, sommeliers and restaurateurs who would later play an unexpected role in his wine journey. — Yuri Shima, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

What Water Sommeliers Evaluate Water sommeliers don’t just study the water’s composition; they are also trained to taste it and can detect differences in minerals, flavor, and mouthfeel. — Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

At Jory at the Allison Inn & Spa in the Willamette Valley, lead sommelier Tim Holst is also a fan pairing Oregon bubbles—namely, Soter Brut Reserve NV—with Oregon Royal Sturgeon caviar. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 19 July 2026

Air France takes a similar approach, offering complimentary wine and Champagne (selected by the airline’s head sommelier, Xavier Thuizat). — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, from Middle French soumelier official charged with transportation of supplies, from Old French, pack animal driver, probably alteration of *sommerier, from somier pack animal, from Medieval Latin saugmarius, from Late Latin sagma packsaddle — more at sumpter

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined above

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