barista

noun

ba·​ris·​ta bə-ˈrē-stə How to pronounce barista (audio)
bä-ˈrē-stä
: a person who makes and serves coffee (such as espresso) to the public

Examples of barista in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Starbucks' new Peanuts collection will be available while supplies last and features 10 items, from other drinkware and accessories, like a mini tote bag and bag charm to a plush Snoopy toy dressed in a green apron, just like a Starbucks barista. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Even small interactions, such as chatting with your barista or smiling at a stranger, can give people a sense of belonging, a 2013 study found. — Cordilia James, CNN Money, 14 Sep. 2026 That blue-haired barista making your pink drink could soon be North West. — Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 In January 2026, Betancur and his wife, Leidy Ospina, opened The ChangeBaker Place next door to the bakery, a coffee shop and patisserie featuring Colombian beans, local artwork and a tres leches latte created by barista Alexandra Pilarte. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for barista

Word History

Etymology

Italian, person working behind a bar, from bar bar (from English) + - ista -ist entry 1

First Known Use

1982, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of barista was in 1982

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Barista.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barista. Accessed 24 Sep. 2026.

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