barista

noun

ba·​ris·​ta bə-ˈrē-stə How to pronounce barista (audio)
bä-ˈrē-stä
: a person who makes and serves coffee (such as espresso) to the public

Examples of barista in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Dutch Bros, which calls its baristas broistas, is operated mostly as a drive-thru only coffee shop. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 6 July 2026 After doing some research into what the business model looks like, the brothers hired a barista with managerial experience and partnered with Marcell Coffee Roasters. Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 Anli Hagiyama, an immigrant from Japan, currently works as a barista in the final stage of the program. Madeleine Kashkooli, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2026 If residents knew how close injection wells operate to their drinking water supply, they would be concerned, said Elizabeth Betchan, a barista at a downtown coffee shop. Nick Bowlin, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for barista

Word History

Etymology

Italian, person working behind a bar, from bar bar (from English) + - ista -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barista was in 1982

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barista.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barista. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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