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

Among the most renowned establishments is Salon Corona, a restaurant and brewery in Mexico City’s historic center. —Michael Rios, CNN Money, 7 June 2026

Promoted by locals, hotels, and restaurants, the club has inducted more than 8,600 members, each receiving a T-shirt, certificate, and a round of applause. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

The owner and chef of Indigenous, Steve Phelps, uses his own fine-dining restaurant to help advocate for more sustainably minded aquaculture and makes his case with seasonally focused dishes like Green Curry Fish Dip. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 6 June 2026

After a day of exploring, the hotel’s onsite coffee shop, bar and restaurant will have just what guests need to rest, relax and recharge. —Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 6 June 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"