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

An on-site spa, two award-winning restaurants, and a pack of resident llamas and alpacas make this an all-around unique stay. —Andrea Bussell, Travel + Leisure, 27 Dec. 2025

While most South Florida restaurants and bars throw parties with special dinners, many of which include champagne toasts and streamers, some places go that extra mile. —Miami Herald, 27 Dec. 2025

Seven restaurants and five bars will spotlight both local Mexican flavors and international cuisines, and a kids club will keep young guests entertained. —Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 27 Dec. 2025

The Four Seasons is synonymous with posh living and service where every desire is attended to, but for many years, Atlanta’s didn’t even have a main restaurant. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 27 Dec. 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"