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

There’s only one town, San Pedro, with colorful waterfront restaurants and breezy beach bars perfect for sunset rum punches. —Annie Daly, Vogue, 10 Mar. 2026

Food and drink The restaurant here is called El Cosmo and is an airy indoor-outdoor space overlooking the rainforest and Lake Nicaragua on one side and Volcano Tonorio on the other. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026

The all-day breakfast staple in a Connecticut diner is expanding and plans to take the place of another popular restaurant that has been around for more than five decades. —Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026

The estate is a short walk from the restaurants and shops along the town’s historic Sutter Street and to the American River. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026

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"