cater

American  

[key-ter] / ˈkeɪ tər /

verb (used without object)

1. to provide food, service, etc., as for a party or wedding.

   to cater for a banquet.

2. to provide or supply what amuses, is desired, or gives pleasure, comfort, etc. (usually followed by to orfor ).

   to cater to popular demand; to cater to an invalid.

   Synonyms:

   please, indulge, humor

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verb (used with object)

1. to provide food and service for.

   to cater a party.

cater British  

/ ˈkeɪtə /

verb

1. (intr; foll by for or to) to provide what is required or desired (for)

   to cater for a need

   cater to your tastes

2. to provide food, services, etc (for)

   we cater for parties

   to cater a banquet

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Other Word Forms

• cateringly adverb
• uncatered adjective
• uncatering adjective

Etymology

Origin of cater

First recorded in 1350–1400; verb use of obsolete cater, Middle English catour, variant of acatour “buyer,” from Anglo-French, from acat(er) “to buy” ( cate ) + -our -or ²

Explanation

To cater means to supply food for meetings or celebrations. If you're having a big barbecue party but would rather hang out with your friends than grill, you could pay someone to cater it. In Middle English, the food supply in a big household was known as the cates, and so to cater meant keeping the pantry full. These days, caterers don't do pantries. They cook food for many different households or offices. Cater has also come to mean "giving what is desired or needed." You might cater to your grandfather by bringing him tea, reading to him, and laughing at his bad jokes.

Example Sentences

The company apparently got ahead of demand for its brand in an effort to cater to investors’ growth mindsets, Moran said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

While both are top-tier VPNs, they cater to different user needs.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

There's nothing hotter in the world of TV right now than adaptations of popular books, especially those that cater to younger audiences.

From BBC • Mar. 21, 2026

Some cruise ports in foreign countries such as Belize have medication stalls that cater to passengers.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

“I cater birthdays and bat mitzvahs,” she says.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan