bəˈfeɪ,
British ˈbʊˌfeɪ
plural buffets
1
: a meal for which different foods are placed on a table so that people can serve themselves
The restaurant offers a breakfast buffet.
There will be a cold buffet [=a meal of different cold foods set on a table] at the party.
—often used before another nounHe went back to the buffet table for a second helping.
a buffet meal/lunch/dinner
2
chiefly British
: a place in a train, a bus station, etc., where people can buy food and drinks
3
chiefly US
: a piece of furniture that is used in a dining room for holding dishes, silverware, etc. : sideboard
ˈbʌfət
buffets; buffeted; buffeting
: to hit (something) with great force many times
The waves buffeted [=battered] the shore.
The strong winds buffeted the ship.
—often used as (be) buffetedThe island was buffeted by a tropical storm last month.
—often used figurativelyThe city's schools are being buffeted by budget cuts.
Cite this Entry
“Buffet.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/buffet. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
