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

Dallas’ restaurant inspections function on a 100-point system. —Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Nov. 2025

Say, for example, that a restaurant’s menu states that an automatic 18% charge will be added to all bills for parties of six or more customers. —Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2025

The lodge has an indoor water park, an on-site restaurant (The Little Gem), and a variety of accommodation styles, ranging from classic rooms to family cabins and seasonal rustic cabins. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025

What To Know The fast-food chain isn’t planning to close all of its struggling restaurants outright. —MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Nov. 2025

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"