cafeteria
UK: ˌkæf.ɪˈtɪə.ri.ə | US: ˌkæf.əˈtɪr.i.ə
n. a self-service restaurant where customers select food from a counter and carry it to their tables.
The word "cafeteria" originated in American English in the late 19th century, borrowing from Spanish "cafetería," which denotes a coffee shop or small restaurant. The suffix "-teria" was later adopted in English to form words for self-service establishments (e.g., "cafeteria," "washeteria"). The term reflects the blending of Spanish linguistic influence with the American innovation of self-service dining.
The hospital cafeteria serves meals 24 hours a day.
Students often gather in the school cafeteria during lunch breaks.
She grabbed a sandwich from the cafeteria before her meeting.
The office cafeteria offers a variety of healthy options.
We decided to meet at the mall’s cafeteria for a quick snack.