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

Example Sentences

Those conditions among others cater to gold’s traditional status as a store of wealth, safe-haven investment and alternative currency.

From The Wall Street Journal

John Cameron, who provides catering equipment for events, said he is "deeply concerned" his business could be impacted if gigs were no longer staged there.

From BBC

"When you donate, you are looked after with the upmost respect in hospitals and all your religious and cultural needs are still catered for."

From BBC

It’s safe, palatable and uninteresting — the result of Charli catering to the world and failing to trust her own vision.

From Salon

One surveillance company, Flock Safety, catering to exactly this sentiment, described its tool as “AI providing steroids or creating superhuman capabilities” for crime analysts.

From Salon