Synonyms

buffet car

American

noun

Railroads.

a car having facilities for preparing and serving light meals.

buffet car British

/ ˈbʊfeɪ /

noun

a railway coach where light refreshments are served

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of buffet car

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Astrid said she was pulling at the door of the buffet car to try and close it and other passengers were inside holding onto the door as others called the police.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

He said he was determined to confront the attacker to give another passenger time to close the door of the buffet car, where other passengers had gathered.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

But what emerged - after more than 600 miles and a lot of buffet car coffee and sandwiches - was something you would never get from a stage-managed campaign event.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2015

An unexpected boon: like the buffet car having any sandwiches left.

From The Guardian • Jun. 1, 2013

Almost as he spoke, an attendant arrived from the buffet car with some soda-water.

From The Double Traitor by Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023