café

1 of 2

noun

ca·​fé ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
variants or less commonly cafe
often attributive
1
: a usually small and informal establishment serving various refreshments (such as coffee)
broadly : restaurant
2
3

CAFE

2 of 2

abbreviation

corporate average fuel economy

Examples of café in a Sentence

Noun the café presents nationally known jazz performers in an intimate setting a speakeasy that became a fashionable café with the repeal of prohibition
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.
Noun
Both are well over a century old and bordering the restaurants, cafes and shops in the historic Hyde Park district. Angela Palermo july 31, Idaho Statesman, 31 July 2025 After the walk, those interested can have coffee together at a nearby cafe. La Jolla Light, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 July 2025 Wild, fanciful murals are everywhere—on the bicycle shop, a parking lot, the patios of bars-mixed in with a totally eclectic mix of bookstores, galleries, cafes for coffee and multinational cuisines and a marijuana shop. Laurie Werner, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025 Beyond just the block party, the typical First Fridays festivities will also be going on, with many nearby galleries, boutiques and cafes staying open late, according to the Alliance news release. Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 28 July 2025 Many animal shelters allow volunteers to take dogs out on field trips, such as a walk around the park, hanging out at a local cafe or even enjoying a sleepover in the person's home. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 July 2025 There were no tourists, and no bars, restaurants or cafes either. Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 24 July 2025 Amenities: Restaurant, cocktail bar, cafe, spa, valet parking, terrace Address: Via dei Pescioni, 2, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy With a stay at Villa Cora, you’ll be surrounded by a centuries-old garden and situated within a lavish 19th-century villa. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 22 July 2025 Common spaces in the school, such as the commons and cafe area, will open to the public Nov. 3. Miceala Morano, Arkansas Online, 18 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French café coffee, café, from Turkish kahve — more at coffee

First Known Use

Noun

1802, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of café was in 1802

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Café.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caf%C3%A9. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

café

noun
ca·​fé
variants also cafe
ka-ˈfā How to pronounce café (audio)
kə-
1
: a usually small restaurant
2
3
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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