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

The new casino, hotel and related restaurants are planned to open on June 24, replacing the longtime riverboat Hollywood Casino in downtown Aurora. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026

Pull up a chaise longue on Kauna'oa Beach, play a few rounds of golf, or grab a bite at one of the hotel’s three restaurants, plus a weekly clambake and twice-weekly luau. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 May 2026

That hospitality-first approach reflects the founders’ backgrounds in the restaurant industry, including their work with the Hamptons restaurant Calissa. —Tanya Benedicto Klich, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026

The upcoming United States-Paraguay match on June 12 will mark the first time in 24 years that fans will not gather in the plaza outside the restaurant to watch a major soccer match together. —Ivan Taylor, CBS News, 23 May 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
• passant
• savant
• storefront

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"