caterer

American  

[kay-ter-er] / ˈkeɪ tər ər /

noun

• caterers
  plural

1. one whose business is to provide food, supplies, and sometimes service at social gatherings.

2. one who caters.

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caterer British  

/ ˈkeɪtərə /

noun

1. a person who caters, esp one who as a profession provides food for large social events, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• caterers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of caterer

First recorded in 1585–95; cater + -er ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

caterer caterers

“I get requests for kosher catering, and I refer all of them to an actual kosher caterer in the area,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

Pizza popped up as often as pate on plates, while one caterer from La Reunion has won social media adulation for his gifts of cari, a spicy dish popular on the Indian Ocean island.

From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026

Marler said he obtained invoices from a St. Louis caterer listing Taylor Farms as its seller.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 24, 2025

Normally what they do is they'll hire a caterer and hire a party planner, they'll come in and they'll fluff and puff your house and cook all the food, and I would just disappear.

From Salon ● Feb. 20, 2025

She imagined them nursing quiet plans for her wedding; her mother would think of a caterer and colors, and her father would think of a distinguished friend he could ask to be the sponsor.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“But the people who don’t get paid are those construction workers, the caterers, the costume designers and the makeup artists. Those folks ... they don’t get paid unless it’s done here at home.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2026

A. I was comparing notes with Adam Chandler, our food columnist and resident expert on food and dining trends, and he has noticed a hypervigilance around what people are serving—from chefs and caterers to influencers.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 31, 2026

The raids also affected small businesses orbiting around quinceañeras: makers of embossed invitations, sellers of tiaras and crowns, choreographers, caterers, florists and more.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 7, 2026

Back on the streets of Lakemba last week, Kheir was calmly coordinating the mass Iftar, liaising with caterers as they ran back and forth replenishing food such as falafel, fattoush, chicken and rice.

From BBC ● Mar. 20, 2026

“I suppose one can’t go wrong with roses, but you can have too much of a good thing….Have the caterers brought enough ice? Be a dear and go and ask. Warm drinks are horrid....”

From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman

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