buffet

1 of 4

noun (1)

buf·​fet ˈbə-fət How to pronounce buffet (audio)
1
: a blow especially with the hand
2
: something that strikes with telling force

buffet

2 of 4

verb

buf·​fet ˈbə-fət How to pronounce buffet (audio)
buffeted; buffeting; buffets

transitive verb

1
: to strike sharply especially with the hand : cuff
2
: to strike repeatedly : batter
the waves buffeted the shore
3
: to drive, force, move, or attack by or as if by repeated blows
schools being buffeted by budget cuts

intransitive verb

: to make one's way especially under difficult conditions

buffet

3 of 4

noun (2)

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
bü-ˈfā,
British especially
ˈbü-ˌfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
plural buffets
1
furniture : sideboard sense 1
2
a
: a counter for refreshments
went back to the buffet for a second helping
b
chiefly British : a restaurant operated as a public convenience (as in a railway station)
c
: a meal set out on a buffet or table for ready access and informal service
a restaurant that offers a breakfast buffet
3
: an assortment of options or offerings : variety
Once you're up there among the clouds, you'll have a buffet of skiing options.Brad Wetzler

buffet

4 of 4

adjective

buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
bü-ˈfā,
British especially
ˈbü-ˌfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
: served informally especially as a buffet (see buffet entry 3 sense 2c)
a buffet meal
buffet luncheons

Examples of buffet in a Sentence

Verb The strong winds buffeted the ship. fierce winds buffeted the small sailboat
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
From an Easter brunch at Angeline’s to a buffet service at Church and Union and more, there’s something for everyone. Jody MacE, Charlotte Observer, 6 Mar. 2024 The brunch will feature a buffet menu including entrees, sides, desserts, and fresh fruit. Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 There are three ticket levels: VIP includes exclusive lounge access, six samplings of BIB cocktails, two full cocktails, a buffet dinner and seating by the stage. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 28 Feb. 2024 High rollers dine on all-you-can-eat buffets and the champagne flows in V.I.P. rooms throughout the massive complex. Ken Belson, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 Top it with pineapple, honey, and garlic for the best ham your Easter buffet menu has ever seen. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2024 In addition to the main buffet setup, Amex now offers several wellness stations throughout the lounge with gluten-free and vegan options, including protein bites, salads, smoothies, and immunity booster juice shots. Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2024 On Wednesday and Thursday nights the beach club transforms into a Bajan-style barbecue buffet accompanied by a lively performance. Anna Haines, Forbes, 13 Feb. 2024 The Super Bowl Sunday Funday includes unlimited beer, wine and rail drinks, plus a buffet of snacks like tots, fries and mini corn dogs, from 6 p.m. until the end of the game. Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024
Verb
Surprise changes in policy have buffeted China’s private sector. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 5 Mar. 2024 How a Canadian college — in a remote town most Canadians have never visited, where winters can feel subarctic — became a magnet for young Indians is the story of the many forces buffeting the country. Norimitsu Onishi Nasuna Stuart-Ulin, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2023 Today, that system is being buffeted by geopolitical headwinds, powerful political forces, and a trade landscape being redefined by new technologies. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Fortune, 23 Feb. 2024 Molecules generally move around the cell by diffusion, buffeted by all the other surrounding molecules, such as water, and wandering in random directions. Philip Ball, Quanta Magazine, 14 Feb. 2024 The woman’s death marks the second death within Sacramento County after wind gusts measuring nearly 70 mph buffeted the region Sunday and Monday. Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 7 Feb. 2024 The relevance of Fortnite—a battle royale-style game that has 70 million active monthly users—has been buffeted in recent years by collaborations with IP owners across pop culture. Forbes Daily, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 Last year, trendy American restaurant Horses was buffeted by accusations of animal abuse and cat killing by one of the head chefs, Will Aghajanian. Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2024 The investor has buffeted (sorry) his wealth by a more modest $1.9 billion this year. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 6 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Customers can expect to see non-buffet-style food options, and social distancing will likely require a reduction in the number of people allowed in the usually crowded lounges. Julian Kheel, CNN Underscored, 1 June 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buffet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Anglo-French, diminutive of buffe blow

Verb

Middle English buffeten, verbal derivative of buffet buffet entry 1

Noun (2)

borrowed from French, going back to Old French, "stool, table, counter," of uncertain origin

Adjective

adjective derivative of buffet entry 3

First Known Use

Noun (1)

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (2)

1707, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1898, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of buffet was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near buffet

Cite this Entry

“Buffet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buffet. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

buffet

1 of 3 noun
buf·​fet ˈbəf-ət How to pronounce buffet (audio)
: a blow especially with the hand

buffet

2 of 3 verb
: to pound repeatedly : batter

buffet

3 of 3 noun
buf·​fet (ˌ)bə-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio) bü-ˈfā How to pronounce buffet (audio)
ˈbü-ˌfā
1
2
: a meal set out on a sideboard, table, or countertop for guests to serve themselves
Etymology

Noun

Middle English buffet "a blow with the hand," derived from early French buffe "a blow"

Noun

French

More from Merriam-Webster on buffet

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