bartender

1 of 2

noun

bar·​tend·​er ˈbär-ˌten-dər How to pronounce bartender (audio)
Synonyms of bartendernext
: a person who serves drinks at a bar
bartend
ˈbär-ˌtend How to pronounce bartender (audio)
intransitive verb

bartend

2 of 2

intransitive verb

bar·​tend ˈbär-ˌtend How to pronounce bartend (audio)
-ed/-ing/-s
: to act as a bartender especially professionally

Examples of bartender in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Schultz, who is twenty-five, works in health care and at the time had a second job as a bartender. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 On top of the $255 registration fee, the 26-year-old bartender also had to pay for a background check, scrubs, a stethoscope, special shoes and a state certification exam — all while working half as much to make time for her classes. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 The first victim found, Heidi Fye, was a 25-year-old bartender who was sometimes known as Heide and Heidi Fye-Villareal. — Holly Yan, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026 Aside from the atmosphere, Cameron and Helling — two career bartenders — are focused on serving cocktails that are not only good, but affordable. — Kansas City Star, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bartender

Word History

Etymology

Intransitive verb

back-formation from bartender

First Known Use

Noun

1825, in the meaning defined above

Intransitive Verb

1949, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bartender was in 1825

Rhymes for bartender

See All Rhymes for bartender

Browse Nearby Words

bartend
bartender
bartendress
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bartender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bartender. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bartender

noun
bar·​tend·​er ˈbär-ˌten-dər How to pronounce bartender (audio)
: a person who serves alcoholic drinks at a bar
bartend
ˈbär-ˌtend How to pronounce bartender (audio)
verb

More from Merriam-Webster on bartender

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for bartender

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