cafeteria
1 of 2noun
caf·e·te·ria ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə 
1
: a restaurant in which the customers serve themselves or are served at a counter and take the food to tables to eat
2
: lunchroom sense 2
cafeteria
2 of 2adjective
: providing a selection from which a choice may be made
cafeteria benefit plan
a cafeteria curriculum
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 The friendship between cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax began over a half century ago in the Juilliard School cafeteria, according to Ma’s Facebook page. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Holding court in the high school cafeteria, flanked by his fellow Dungeons and Dragons players collectively known as The Hellfire Club, Eddie is all flowing locks and BDE. Lauren Pinnington, Glamour, 25 July 2022 Beds with privacy screens were set up in the school cafeteria and three daily meals are being served, Poisall said. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2022 The school’s cafeteria, gym and main library do, too. oregonlive, 15 May 2022 Police Chief Kenta Fulford said the fight erupted inside the school’s cafeteria, and one shot was discharged. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 1 Apr. 2021 There will be a tent with tables and chaffing dishes keeping the breakfast warm during delivery from the school’s cafeteria. cleveland, 11 Mar. 2021 The boys formed their first band, the Broken Combs, when Mr. Van Halen was in fourth grade, playing in their elementary school’s cafeteria. Anne Steele, WSJ, 6 Oct. 2020 See More
Noun
Badillo, 37, lives in a Habitat for Humanity home, not too far from her job serving food in a high school cafeteria. Rachel Siegel, Washington Post, 25 Aug. 2022 The friendship between cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ax began over a half century ago in the Juilliard School cafeteria, according to Ma’s Facebook page. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2022 Holding court in the high school cafeteria, flanked by his fellow Dungeons and Dragons players collectively known as The Hellfire Club, Eddie is all flowing locks and BDE. Lauren Pinnington, Glamour, 25 July 2022 Beds with privacy screens were set up in the school cafeteria and three daily meals are being served, Poisall said. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2022 The school’s cafeteria, gym and main library do, too. oregonlive, 15 May 2022 Police Chief Kenta Fulford said the fight erupted inside the school’s cafeteria, and one shot was discharged. Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 1 Apr. 2021 There will be a tent with tables and chaffing dishes keeping the breakfast warm during delivery from the school’s cafeteria. cleveland, 11 Mar. 2021 The boys formed their first band, the Broken Combs, when Mr. Van Halen was in fourth grade, playing in their elementary school’s cafeteria. Anne Steele, WSJ, 6 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
American Spanish cafetería coffeehouse, from cafetera coffee maker, from French cafetière, from café
First Known Use
Noun
1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
1908, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing cafeteria
Kids Definition
cafeteria
noun
caf·e·te·ria ˌka-fə-ˈtir-ē-ə
: a place where people get food at a counter and carry it to a table for eating
a school cafeteria
cafeteria
noun
as in restaurant
a place where people get food at a counter and carry it to a table for eating The restaurant resembled a school cafeteria. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- restaurant
- cafe
- lunchroom
- diner
- café
- luncheonette
- tavern
- eatery
- lunch counter
- snack bar
- grill
- beanery
- caff
- pizzeria
- coffeehouse
- steak house
- inn
- tearoom
- teahouse
- hash house
- chophouse
- bar
- coffee shop
- greasy spoon
- barroom
- tea shop
- estaminet
