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

Many hotels and restaurants are already fitted out with bars, serving mocktails and zero-alcohol beer, for now. —Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 22 Nov. 2025

Several Louisville restaurants have recently added or expanded their brunch offerings. —Amanda Hancock, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Nov. 2025

Anecdotally, however, some fast-food restaurants have cut back their hours. —Amelia Lucas, CNBC, 22 Nov. 2025

Sucanick and Morrow were identified, in part, from surveillance footage from inside the restaurant, which led to tips from the community, police said. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Nov. 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"