cafeteria

noun caf·e·te·ria \ ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə \

|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of cafeteria

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 2

See cafeteria defined for English-language learners

See cafeteria defined for kids

Recent Examples of cafeteria from the Web

The results revealed high amounts of lead dust and asbestos fibers on floors in gyms, cafeterias, hallways, classrooms, and auditoriums.

— jonathan tamari, Philly.com, "Philly congressmen seek federal help to fix 'unconscionable' condition of city schools," 1 June 2018
Harrison began working at the school as the dean of academies in January 2015 and was responsible for keeping order in the hallways and cafeteria, mentoring troubled students, and conducting anger management classes, according to court testimony.

— laura crimaldi, BostonGlobe.com, "Former English High dean who led secret life of crime sentenced to two decades in prison," 1 June 2018
For example, a student with autism might wear headphones to dampen the noise in the cafeteria, a way to combat sensory overload.

— dennis hohenberger, Courant Community, "Principal Honors Bet For Autism Awareness Month," 15 May 2018
At one gathering, in a school cafeteria, a Sacramento sheriff's detective named Carol Daly gave a brief tutorial about defending oneself against the attacker.

— Anchorage Daily News, "With taunts and guile, the Golden State Killer left a trail of horror," 28 Apr. 2018
In attendance that night was one of the students shot in the school cafeteria two years ago.

— keith bierygolick, Cincinnati.com, "Despite objections from a shooting victim, Ohio school that suffered through shooting to allow armed teachers," 24 Apr. 2018
The department recognized full-service restaurants, fast-food operations, school cafeterias, retirement centers, grocery stores, a frozen custard shop, a coffee shop and roaster, and others with its 2018 Food Safety Excellence Award.

— joyce smith, kansascity, "The cleanest restaurants in town? KC Health Department hands out excellence awards | The Kansas City Star," 2 Apr. 2018
All across the commons, cafeteria, into the fine arts rooms and athletics area, a variety of activities are set up for students to partake in.

— melanie feuk, Houston Chronicle, "K-Park seeks funding for Project Grad program," 2 Apr. 2018
Go past some small shops, up the elevator to the third floor (second for men) and another network of baths and steam rooms, a dining room like a small-scale cafeteria, another room filled with lounge chairs like an airport waiting room.

— amy scattergood, latimes.com, "The bather: A journey by water, with porridge and barley tea, through 9 Koreatown spas," 15 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cafeteria.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cafeteria

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1894

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

cafeteria

adjective

Definition of cafeteria

: providing a selection from which a choice may be made

cafeteria benefit plan

a cafeteria curriculum

First Known Use of cafeteria

1908

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

CAFETERIA Defined for English Language Learners

cafeteria

noun

Definition of cafeteria for English Language Learners

: a place (such as a restaurant or a room in a school) where people get food at a counter and carry it to a table for eating

CAFETERIA Defined for Kids

cafeteria

noun caf·e·te·ria \ ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə \

Definition of cafeteria for Students

: a place where people get food at a counter and carry it to a table for eating

a school cafeteria

Learn More about cafeteria

See words that rhyme with cafeteria Spanish Central: Translation of cafeteria Nglish: Translation of cafeteria for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of cafeteria for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cafeteria

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cafeteria

Definition of cafeteria

Recent Examples of cafeteria from the Web

Origin and Etymology of cafeteria

Other Food Terms

cafeteria

Definition of cafeteria

First Known Use of cafeteria

Other Food Terms

CAFETERIA Defined for English Language Learners

cafeteria

Definition of cafeteria for English Language Learners

CAFETERIA Defined for Kids

cafeteria

Definition of cafeteria for Students

Learn More about cafeteria

Seen and Heard

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