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
Even local coworking spaces or cafes can boost creativity and satisfaction. Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 4 July 2025 Rising food costs due to inflation challenges new owner of the lower-level cafe in City Hall The new cafe is a family affair, with Carter-Watson's daughter and other family members helping out. La Risa R. Lynch, jsonline.com, 4 July 2025 Kyiv officials said the attack damaged about 40 apartment blocks, passenger railway infrastructure, five schools and kindergartens, cafes and many cars in six of Kyiv's 10 districts. Pavel Polityuk, USA Today, 4 July 2025 Lines stretched out the door throughout June during the cafe’s limited soft opening hours. Camila Pedrosa july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2025 Co-founded by Markiewicz, this used bookstore and cafe on Main Street serves soups and sandwiches and features exhibits by local artists. Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 3 July 2025 Then in the spring, a Barbie cafe will arrive, making it all about pink dreams as the iconic doll takes over the city. Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 Only customers can use Starbucks cafes, restrooms Today is also the first day of the chain’s new policy requiring those using the facilities to make purchases. Cheryl V. Jackson, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025 Metro Codes shut down the soul food cafe because housing construction next door created a fire hazard on her property. Hadley Hitson, The Tennessean, 2 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 10 Jul. 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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