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
From the M-W Editors
Origin and Etymology of cafeteria
American Spanish cafetería coffeehouse, from cafetera coffee maker, from French cafetière, from café
First Known Use: 1894
cafeteria
Definition of cafeteria
: providing a selection from which a choice may be made cafeteria benefit plan a cafeteria curriculum
1908
First Known Use of cafeteria
1908
CAFETERIA Defined for English Language Learners
cafeteria
playDefinition of cafeteria for English Language Learners
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: 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
playDefinition 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
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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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