as in restaurant
a place where people get food at a counter and carry it to a table for eating
The restaurant resembled a school cafeteria.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cafeteria
Students gathered in the cafeteria and gymnasium while school staff and CPS Energy worked earlier to restore power.
—
Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2026
Maintain a safe distance from windows and avoid seeking refuge in large open rooms like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The facility is also planned to have holding areas, gyms, recreational spaces, cafeterias, a gun range, and other services.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Niki’s West Steak & Seafood Restaurant draws long lines for classic Southern-cafeteria fare, like its famous bread pudding.
—Bob Carlton, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cafeteria
Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Mar. 2026
Maintain a safe distance from windows and avoid seeking refuge in large open rooms like cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
The facility is also planned to have holding areas, gyms, recreational spaces, cafeterias, a gun range, and other services.
—Dan Raby, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Niki’s West Steak & Seafood Restaurant draws long lines for classic Southern-cafeteria fare, like its famous bread pudding.
—Bob Carlton, Southern Living, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cafeteria
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cafeteria
Noun
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SkyCal flew over the scene, where a large law enforcement presence was spotted outside of what looked to be a restaurant in the area.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
23 Mar. 2026
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Jimmy Rush's younger brother Carl planned the 80th birthday party at the restaurant, knowing that his older brother had long dreamed of the free oysters.—
SYDNEY PAGE THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
22 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Before diners are even seated, a quirky focal point is bound to elicit oohs and aahs, and many, many wandering eyes trying to decipher the meaning.—
Zareen Syed,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
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Morgan, in part, is helping bridge the gap between the Tustin loyalists and a new generation of diners.—
Brock Keeling,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Angelo Mastrodicasa opened Angelo's Civita Farnese 101 years ago on Federal Hill as a lunchroom frequented by men who immigrated from Italy.—
The Providence Journal,
The Providence Journal,
13 Mar. 2026
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Comedies, points out Ropp, whether high school-set or not, are not the current popular kids in the proverbial Hollywood lunchroom.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cafeteria.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cafeteria. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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