caf·e·te·ria
ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə 
1
: a restaurant in which the customers serve themselves or are served at a counter and take the food to tables to eat
: providing a selection from which a choice may be made
cafeteria benefit plan
a cafeteria curriculum
Examples of cafeteria in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Having fresh, local produce in the school cafeteria provides the opportunity to introduce children to more fruits and vegetables and teach them about the food grown in their own communities.
—Marlene B. Schwartz, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 15 June 2021
See All Example Sentences for cafeteria
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
Gilbert’s whale was made of recyclable trash collected from the school’s classrooms, cafeteria, gym, kitchen and the principal’s office.
—Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 22 June 2025
Having fresh, local produce in the school cafeteria provides the opportunity to introduce children to more fruits and vegetables and teach them about the food grown in their own communities.
—Marlene B. Schwartz, The Conversation, 5 June 2025
Adjective
Officials floated several ideas Monday on how to deal with lunchroom sizes, including allowing students to eat in non-cafeteria sites, younger students eating picnic style or high school juniors and seniors being allowed to leave the school campus for lunch.
—Rafael Guerrero, chicagotribune.com, 15 June 2021
See All Example Sentences for cafeteria
Cite this Entry
“Cafeteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cafeteria. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share