noun

cafeteria

cafeteria, lunchroom

We eat lunch in the school cafeteria.

We eat lunch in the school cafeteria.

The hospital has a small cafeteria for visitors.

The hospital has a small cafeteria for visitors.

((a/the)) cafeteria a place for eating meals, often self-service I'll meet you in the cafeteria.

Synonyms: canteen, lunchroom, refectory

From American Spanish 'cafetería' meaning 'coffee shop', from 'café' (coffee).

Imagine a 'café' with a 'teria' ending, similar to 'pizzeria'. It denotes a place specializing in something, in this case, a self-service eatery.

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