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

Get a bottle of wine from the Kinderhook Bottle Shop to enjoy on the inn porch before dinner at the Mediterranean small-plate restaurant Isola (which even offers a discount for guests of the inn). — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

Sure, the culinary reach of Italian cuisine goes far and wide, from New York pizza slice shops to high-end, award-winning restaurants that specialize in food from all over the country, but there’s nothing like sitting down for a meal in Milan. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026

In addition to artwork of all kinds, there will be three stages of live music, more than a dozen restaurant booths and children’s activities. — Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026

The new tech can help with daily tasks like browsing restaurant menus, reading street signs, or describing scenery, according to RNIB. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 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"