cafeteria

noun caf·e·te·ria \ ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə \

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

Recent Examples of cafeteria from the Web

Over lunch at the CNA company cafeteria, a handful of interns chatted with TJ Pavlov, a psychology teacher who oversees ChiTech’s Real-World Learning program and regularly checks in at student worksites.

— chris berdik, The Atlantic, "How Student Internships Saved a Chicago School," 23 Aug. 2017
For many first-year college students, this week is full of visions of dorm-room parties, cafeteria meals, and frosh week.

— katie van syckle, The Cut, "How It Feels to Be a New Student of Color Going to College In Charlottesville," 17 Aug. 2017
The problem is, however, there is no cafeteria at 770 Broadway; Armstrong’s team is building one that’s expected to open sometime next year.

— joe pompeo, The Hive, "Can Oath, the Arranged Media Marriage of Yahoo and AOL, Avoid a Rough Divorce?," 16 Aug. 2017
Similar to Cooper's and Hard Eight, this new barn-size 'cue spot in Mansfield is set up cafeteria-style.

— malcolm mayhew, star-telegram, "Step right up and sink your teeth in to these up-and-coming North Texas BBQ joints," 27 July 2017
At the same time, the company plans to add 12,000 square feet of space at Micron’s cafeteria, bolstering the current 33,210 square feet of that two-story building.

— john sowell, idahostatesman, "Do you work for Micron? Your work area may soon become less cramped," 27 July 2017
Since her confirmation, DeVos has been making the rounds, shaking hands in the halls and dropping in, casually, at the cafeteria.

— lisa miller, Daily Intelligencer, "Who Is Betsy DeVos?," 25 July 2017
The 32-year-old school cafeteria worker was killed during a traffic stop July 6, almost a year ago.

— russell contreras, chicagotribune.com, "July Fourth holiday brings mixed feelings for minorities," 2 July 2017
In St. Paul, jurors watched dashboard video showing Officer Jeronimo Yanez shoot into the car where Philando Castile, a cafeteria worker, was sitting with his fiancée and her daughter, and acquitted the officer.

— jess bidgood and richard pÉrez-peÑa, New York Times, "Mistrial in Cincinnati Shooting as Officer Is Latest Not to Be Convicted," 23 June 2017

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

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

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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up cafeteria? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

cafeteria

Definition of cafeteria

Read the Latest from M-W

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

The History of the Word 'Terrorism'

Trending: McCain: Half-Baked, 'Spurious' Nationalism

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Forms of Government Quiz

Words of the Year: 1066