1
: a person who dines (as in a restaurant) or who is dining
2
a
b
chiefly US
: a typically small, informal, and inexpensive restaurant that has an extensive menu and that is often made from or designed to resemble a modified railroad dining car
had lunch at a roadside diner
Synonyms
Examples of diner in a Sentence
we'll just grab a quick hamburger at the local diner
Recent Examples on the Web
The number of locations is only growing too, with the company hoping to open a station in southern California that will have a diner and drive-in movie theater before the decade is over.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023
That means not assuming the pronouns or gender identities of staff and diners, and offering a menu with non-alcoholic drinks and vegan options.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appétit, 17 Nov. 2023
Drew Carey Carey’s picture was already framed on the wall at Bob’s Big Boy, but the Price Is Right host picked up the tab for writers for 148 days at both the Burbank diner and Swingers in Hollywood, helping to feed anyone with a WGA card.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2023
The candidate himself has made pit stops at gas stations, diners and county fairs across Iowa, so far visiting all but seven of its 99 counties, with plans to hit the rest soon.
—Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
At lunchtime, the dining room is awash in sunlight and buzzing with diners from the nearby office buildings, many feasting on lobster rolls, smashburgers and seafood platters.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
In that time, three people were shot, another was grazed by a bullet, and a roomful of diners hit the floor.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2023
The restaurant serves up a pretty classic high-end experience, but the chef doesn’t think that’s what diners are looking for anymore.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2023
The fee, $50 tacked onto a diner’s bill, apparently dates back to the early pandemic.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023
See More
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2023
That means not assuming the pronouns or gender identities of staff and diners, and offering a menu with non-alcoholic drinks and vegan options.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Bon Appétit, 17 Nov. 2023
Drew Carey Carey’s picture was already framed on the wall at Bob’s Big Boy, but the Price Is Right host picked up the tab for writers for 148 days at both the Burbank diner and Swingers in Hollywood, helping to feed anyone with a WGA card.
—Lesley Goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Nov. 2023
The candidate himself has made pit stops at gas stations, diners and county fairs across Iowa, so far visiting all but seven of its 99 counties, with plans to hit the rest soon.
—Nicholas Nehamas, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023
At lunchtime, the dining room is awash in sunlight and buzzing with diners from the nearby office buildings, many feasting on lobster rolls, smashburgers and seafood platters.
—Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 13 Nov. 2023
In that time, three people were shot, another was grazed by a bullet, and a roomful of diners hit the floor.
—Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Oct. 2023
The restaurant serves up a pretty classic high-end experience, but the chef doesn’t think that’s what diners are looking for anymore.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2023
The fee, $50 tacked onto a diner’s bill, apparently dates back to the early pandemic.
—Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 3 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'diner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing diner
Dictionary Entries Near diner
Cite this Entry
“Diner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diner. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
diner
noun
din·er
ˈdī-nər 
1
: one that dines
2
a
b
: a restaurant in the shape of a railroad car
More from Merriam-Webster on diner
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share