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

At the Shrimp Basket restaurant in Pensacola, Florida, one customer has been a constant presence. —Steve Hartman, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

In 1985, Summerfest approached the restaurant about opening a location on its grounds. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 13 Dec. 2025

The restaurant made the menu change to give existing customers a protein option and to bring in new customers, its staff said. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 13 Dec. 2025

An employee then called the police, reporting that Ellis had cut himself with the hatchet inside the restaurant and was walking toward officers with the weapon raised, according to the report. —Jose R. Gonzalez, AZCentral.com, 13 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"