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 Whistle Stop Cafe is the real-life restaurant behind the movie, tucked into the small town of Juliette. — Justin Brown, AJC.com, 12 July 2026

The bright and airy Hotel San Luis Obispo (Hotel SLO,) which calls itself a modern urban resort, boasts The Ox and Anchor restaurant which has earned a Michelin Key. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

That may make salads a little wetter, the restaurant’s post said. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 July 2026

The former site of Crush Wine Bar at 37 LaSalle Road is in the early stages of getting permits for a restaurant. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 July 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"