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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Stories of writers forced to return to nannying or barista service between plum writing jobs have become worryingly common. Vulture, 5 May 2023 In October, the labor board’s regional director in Chicago alleged the company had fired another area barista in Wilmette for attempting to form a union. Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 3 May 2023 His own income as a part-time Starbucks barista wouldn’t be enough. Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2023 But employees are very quick to perceive such acts, like picking up a barista shift, as superficial or phony, Gupta says. Paige Mcglauflin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2023 The reasons for closing may go beyond safety, said Robert Wilcox, a barista at the downtown location. Savannaheadens, oregonlive, 12 Apr. 2023 Positions ranged from baristas and cashiers to managers of various departments. Russ Wiles, The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2023 One barista who is still with the company said that after her store started organizing a union, workers were disciplined for being a few minutes late or over small dress code violations. Danielle Wiener-bronner, CNN, 30 Mar. 2023 Before that meeting, union baristas—some current, some fired—rallied with supporters outside Starbucks headquarters. E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'barista.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near barista

Cite this Entry

“Barista.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barista. Accessed 4 Jun. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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