as in restaurants
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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Recent Examples of cafeterias
Hundreds of Orange County parents packed into school cafeterias in the past two weeks to vent their frustrations about plans to close seven public schools, complaining the decisions were made without their input and sharing fears that switching schools will hurt their children’s education.
—
Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Sanders grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut watching her mother juggle jobs at restaurants and Sacred Heart University’s cafeterias.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
Carbajal, 43, who works in the cafeterias at two Austin schools, still needs car repairs or a reliable car.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s Local Food for Schools Program, which launched last year, connects local agricultural producers and farms with school cafeterias.
—Craig Harris, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Jan. 2026
There are several steps before it is offered in cafeterias, according to the School Nutrition Association, which represents more than 50,000 school nutrition professionals.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
It is also designed for institutional settings, including schools, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias, as well as travel operators such as airlines and cruise lines looking to ensure passenger safety.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
Steer clear of windows and avoid seeking refuge in large open areas such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Steven Walker, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2026
Sanders grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut watching her mother juggle jobs at restaurants and Sacred Heart University’s cafeterias.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 26 Jan. 2026
Carbajal, 43, who works in the cafeterias at two Austin schools, still needs car repairs or a reliable car.
—Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 26 Jan. 2026
The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry’s Local Food for Schools Program, which launched last year, connects local agricultural producers and farms with school cafeterias.
—Craig Harris, Oklahoma Voice, 20 Jan. 2026
There are several steps before it is offered in cafeterias, according to the School Nutrition Association, which represents more than 50,000 school nutrition professionals.
—Tami Luhby, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
It is also designed for institutional settings, including schools, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias, as well as travel operators such as airlines and cruise lines looking to ensure passenger safety.
—Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 6 Jan. 2026
Stay away from windows and do not go to large open rooms such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
—Bay Area Weather Report, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
Steer clear of windows and avoid seeking refuge in large open areas such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, or auditoriums.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 3 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cafeterias
restaurants
Noun
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Dining options will encompass numerous restaurants and bars, including the brand’s signature Peacock Alley, a lobby lounge tradition that has anchored Waldorf Astoria properties since the original New York hotel.—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Soda drinkers have been experimenting with mash-ups for decades — ever since fast-food restaurants moved soda machines out from behind the counter and gave customers free rein to mix their own drinks, Tofel said.—
Brittany Anas,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cafeterias.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cafeterias. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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