cafeteria

1 of 2

noun

caf·​e·​te·​ria ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə 

1

: a restaurant in which the customers serve themselves or are served at a counter and take the food to tables to eat

2

: lunchroom sense 2

cafeteria

2 of 2

adjective

: providing a selection from which a choice may be made

cafeteria benefit plan

a cafeteria curriculum

Examples of cafeteria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Toshi Kasahara’s original restaurant, now long shuttered, was the archetype of a Seattle-style teriyaki spot—a spare cafeteria-like space with a streamlined menu built around Kasahara’s iconic chicken. — Allecia Vermillion, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

The district is also planning to separate gym and cafeteria spaces for two elementary schools currently using a shared space, and make classroom additions at one school. — Molly Morrow, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026

Students are allowed to use their phones in common areas like the cafeteria, hallways and lobby. — Madeleine Wright, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

The country buffet is a very specific genre of restaurant, with origins in the cafeterias and meat-and-threes of the South. — Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

American Spanish cafetería coffeehouse, from cafetera coffee maker, from French cafetière, from café

First Known Use

Noun

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1908, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cafeteria

• cafeteria-style

Rhymes for cafeteria

• arteria
• bacteria
• criteria
• diphtheria
• egeria
• listeria
• wisteria
• cyanobacteria
• mycobacteria

Kids Definition

cafeteria

noun

caf·​e·​te·​ria

ˌkaf-ə-ˈtir-ē-ə

1

: a restaurant in which the customers serve themselves or are served at a counter but carry their own food to their tables

2

: lunchroom