restaurateur

noun

res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌre-stə-rə-ˈtər How to pronounce restaurateur (audio)
variants or less commonly restauranteur
: the operator or proprietor of a restaurant

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Restaurateur Has French Roots

Restaurateur and restaurant are French words from Latin restaurare, meaning "to restore." Of the two words, restaurant is more common—a fact that may have influenced the development of the variant spelling restauranteur for restaurateur. Some people consider restauranteur to be an error, but it is still on the menu as an acceptable word choice.

Examples of restaurateur 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.
Continue reading … ‘BACK OFF’ – Texas restaurateur fights Labor Department's new overtime rules. Fox News, 1 Nov. 2024 Austin Regional Clinic is expected to open a Lockhart location soon, and Austin restaurateurs have set up shop in the town. Nicole Cobler, Axios, 29 Oct. 2024 Covid did force many restaurateurs to think fast as the storm raged around them, setting up outdoor tables, doing more take-out and home delivery and taking the time while closed to do needed upgrades. John Mariani, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Watching the original, two-story Anthony’s location, just off California Street along downtown’s 16th Street Mall, close during the pandemic also reminded him of the alarming challenges restaurateurs were facing. John Wenzel, The Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for restaurateur 

Word History

Etymology

French restaurateur, from Late Latin restaurator restorer, from Latin restaurare

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of restaurateur was in 1796

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Dictionary Entries Near restaurateur

Cite this Entry

“Restaurateur.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/restaurateur. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

restaurateur

noun
res·​tau·​ra·​teur ˌres-tə-rə-ˈtər How to pronounce restaurateur (audio)
variants also restauranteur
: a person who owns or runs a restaurant
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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