maître d'hôtel

noun

maî·​tre d'hô·​tel ˌmā-trə-(ˌ)dō-ˈtel How to pronounce maître d'hôtel (audio)
ˌme-;
ˌmāt-dō-,
ˌmet-
plural maîtres d'hôtel ˌmā-trə-(ˌ)dō-ˈtel How to pronounce maître d'hôtel (audio)
ˌme-;
ˌmāt-dō-,
ˌmet-
1
2
: a sauce of butter, parsley, salt, pepper, and lemon juice

called also maître d'hôtel butter

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At about 11:15, the maitre d'hotel whispered that about 30 photographers were massed outside the hotel. People Staff, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'maître d'hôtel.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, master of house

First Known Use

1538, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of maître d'hôtel was in 1538

Dictionary Entries Near maître d'hôtel

Cite this Entry

“Maître d'hôtel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ma%C3%AEtre%20d%27h%C3%B4tel. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on maître d'hôtel

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Which Came First?

  • baby chick with a brown egg
  • hot take or cold shoulder?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY