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.

Everyone in the buffet car was in "a state of shock", she said as she praised Mr Crean's calm in the moment.

From BBC • Nov. 6, 2025

As people ran to the buffet car he said he wanted to make sure passengers were safe.

From BBC • Nov. 3, 2025

"Not once in the 11-hour journey did we have any official announcement... we just had a rumour mill from drivers to the buffet car."

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

And when, finally, I arrived at the buffet car, I was greeted with a sigh and a how-dare-you raise of the eyebrows.

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2010

There was milk bought in the buffet car, and cakes.

From Six Little Bunkers at Cowboy Jack's by Hope, Laura Lee

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