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
Hussain Saleh, 23, a barista in the cafe, was less impressed. Vivian Nereim, New York Times, 16 May 2025 So, starting June 2, the popular cafe will launch a dinner menu and close later. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 May 2025 With potable water in short supply, neither the cafe nor the motel nor its six roadside cottages have been open since the 1980s. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025 In 2023-2024, the cafe closed temporarily for months. Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 14 May 2025 Raymond & Territorial claims the cafe has not paid any rent at all since October 2024, and the company filed an eviction summons against Hey Bear in late April 2025. Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 13 May 2025 For a quick and light option, the lobby cafe offers a great list of tropical fruit smoothies and pastries. David Shortell, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2025 The cafe aims to share the authentic flavors of Anatolia here in the South. Samantha Husted, Charlotte Observer, 12 May 2025 On Saturday, cafe hours will be 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 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 23 May. 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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