buffet
1a variety of dishes presented in a line, from which diners in a restaurant serve themselves, usually at a fixed price regardless of how much one eats: The lavish all-you-can-eat buffet delivered a feast of salads, curries, pasta dishes, and sumptuous desserts for $40.
a restaurant where food is presented in this way: They own one of the best high-end buffets in the country.
a meal laid out on one or more tables so that guests may serve themselves.
a sideboard or cabinet for holding china, table linen, etc.
a wide variety of things to choose from: The school’s internet safety workshop contains a buffet of ideas for parents in the 21st century.
a counter, bar, or the like, for lunch or refreshments.
a restaurant containing such a counter or bar.
consisting of food, refreshments, etc., laid out on tables or buffets from which guests or customers serve themselves: a buffet supper;buffet service.
Origin of buffet
1Other definitions for buffet (2 of 2)
a blow, as with the hand or fist.
a violent shock or concussion.
to strike, as with the hand or fist.
to strike against or push repeatedly: The wind buffeted the house.
to contend against; battle.
to struggle with blows of hand or fist.
to force one's way by a fight, struggle, etc.
Origin of buffet
2Other words for buffet
Other words from buffet
- buf·fet·er, noun
- un·buf·fet·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
British Dictionary definitions for buffet (1 of 3)
(ˈbʊfeɪ) a counter where light refreshments are served
(ˈbʊfeɪ)
a meal at which guests help themselves from a number of dishes and often eat standing up
(as modifier): a buffet lunch
(ˈbʌfɪt, ˈbʊfeɪ) a piece of furniture used from medieval times to the 18th century for displaying plates, etc and typically comprising one or more cupboards and some open shelves
(ˈbʌfɪ) Scot and Northern English dialect a kind of low stool, pouffe, or hassock
Origin of buffet
1British Dictionary definitions for buffet (2 of 3)
/ (ˈbʌfɪt) /
(tr) to knock against or about; batter: the wind buffeted the boat
(tr) to hit, esp with the fist; cuff
to force (one's way), as through a crowd
(intr) to struggle; battle
a blow, esp with a fist or hand
aerodynamic excitation of an aircraft structure by separated flows
Origin of buffet
2Derived forms of buffet
- buffeter, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Buffet (3 of 3)
/ (French byfɛ) /
Bernard (bɛrnar). 1928–99, French painter and engraver. His works are characterized by sombre tones and thin angular forms
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
Browse