restaurant

noun

res·​tau·​rant ˈre-stə-ˌränt 

-stränt

also -st(ə-)rənt, 

-stərnt

: a business establishment where meals or refreshments may be purchased

Synonyms of restaurant

• diner
• grill
• cafeteria

Examples of restaurant in a Sentence

when we get sick of cooking dinner at home, we like to go out to eat at a nice restaurant

Recent Examples on the Web

Word got around and surfers came to the restaurant from all over San Diego County, gathered around the tables, ate burgers and swapped their tales. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Every Cava restaurant accepts donations to support a local cause and matches them with donations of up to $1,000. —Connie Ogle april 25, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026

But with our wallets taking a hit these days, getting down on one knee at that fancy downtown restaurant or on the sandy beaches of a luxury resort may not be a realistic option. —Kari Barnett, Sun Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

To hear the owners tell it, Rao’s—the 130–year-old Italian restaurant in New York City’s East Harlem neighborhood—was never supposed to be the kind of place where getting a table is nigh on impossible. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "restorative food or drink, public establishment where food and drink may be purchased," noun derivative from present participle of restaurer "to repair, refresh, renew," going back to Old French restorer, restaurer — more at restore

First Known Use

1806, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing restaurant

• Chinese restaurant syndrome
• restaurant car

Rhymes for restaurant

• commandant
• confidant
• conodont
• debutante
• nonchalant
• avant
• croissant
• detente
• entente
• savant
• storefront
• daunt

Kids Definition

restaurant

noun

res·​tau·​rant ˈres-t(ə-)rənt 

-tə-ˌränt

: a business place where meals or refreshments may be bought

Etymology

from French restaurant "food that restores, restaurant," from restaurer "to restore, renew"