restaurant

noun

res·​tau·​rant ˈre-stə-ˌränt How to pronounce restaurant (audio)
-stränt
also -st(ə-)rənt, 
-stərnt
Synonyms of restaurantnext
: a business establishment where meals or refreshments may be purchased

Synonyms of restaurant

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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
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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.
Tymur Tkachenko, head of the local regional military administration, said that at least 50 residential buildings had been damaged in the attack, which also sparked a large-scale fire that spread to homes and a restaurant. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Spend time with master art works by Rodin, Van Gogh and Turner – for free – and then grab a coffee or enjoy your pick of historic hamburger joints, food trucks, taco places and Ethiopian restaurants. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 29 Aug. 2026 Could the next chapter of Michelin be defined not by how much a meal costs, but by how creatively restaurants can give diners different ways, and different price points, to experience the world’s best restaurants? — Carinne Geil Botta, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 For the less inert, Hans Grill, a modern British restaurant in sister property 11 Cadogan Gardens, is just a hop, skip, and jump over. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for restaurant

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of restaurant was in 1806

Phrases Containing restaurant

Rhymes for restaurant

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Browse Nearby Words

restaur
restaurant
restaurant car
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Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

restaurant

noun
res·​tau·​rant ˈres-t(ə-)rənt How to pronounce restaurant (audio)
-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"

More from Merriam-Webster on restaurant

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about restaurant

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