cafeteria

noun caf·e·te·ria \ ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə \

Updated on: 15 Apr 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

Renovations will also be made to the cafeteria line.

— alyssa alfano, cleveland.com, "Medina City School District makes plans for summer construction," 11 Apr. 2018
Sticky notes are stapled to boards in the halls and cafeteria with words of praise and thanks for people who have made a difference in the lives of these 500 second, third, and fourth graders.

— denise coffey, Courant Community, "Looking For - And Finding - The Good At KMS," 11 Apr. 2018
Following the second set of tours, Imagine OPRF will host its next community conversation, which will take place at 7 p.m. April 16 in the south cafeteria.

— steve schering, chicagotribune.com, "'There are going to be options to look at': Imagine OPRF group to present solutions, offer campus tours," 10 Apr. 2018
Even the splashy ensemble numbers, two of which make memorable use of cafeteria trays, suggest a nervous burst of hormonally charged adolescence that makes Mean Girls sing.

— david rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Mean Girls': Theater Review," 9 Apr. 2018
In addition, 14 schools received classroom additions and more than 20 cafeteria renovations were completed.

— trisha powell crain, AL.com, "Federal judge approves Jefferson County schools' $230 million building plan," 8 Apr. 2018
Authorities say a 16-year-old girl stabbed a classmate once in the back with a knife in an Ohio high school cafeteria and was quickly taken into custody.

— Fox News, "Girl, 16, accused of stabbing classmate in school cafeteria," 7 Apr. 2018
Where: The cafeteria patio of the medical center campus, 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd.

— maddie crichton, Los Angeles Magazine, "Your Definitive Guide to L.A. Farmers Markets, By Neighborhood," 6 Apr. 2018
Fox said during the walkout, students will have the option of either remaining on campus and gathering on one of the sports fields behind the school or reporting to the gym or cafeteria.

— michelle iracheta, Houston Chronicle, "Woodlands HS students planning walkout on April 20," 6 Apr. 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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