diner

noun

din·​er ˈdī-nər How to pronounce diner (audio)
1
: a person who dines (as in a restaurant) or who is dining
2
b
chiefly US : a typically small, informal, and inexpensive restaurant that has an extensive menu and that is often made from or designed to resemble a modified railroad dining car
had lunch at a roadside diner

Examples of diner in a Sentence

we'll just grab a quick hamburger at the local diner
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Denny's, the national diner chain known for its breakfast fare and 24-hour menu, plans to close 150 restaurants by the end of 2025. Anthony Robledo, Journal Sentinel, 24 Oct. 2024 In addition to Colorado, McDonald’s diners also reported getting sick between Sept. 27 and Oct. 11 in Oregon, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 23 Oct. 2024 Frisch's is not the only diner or casual restaurant concept to face troubles after consumers have cut back on eating out amid high inflation in the past couple of years. Alexander Coolidge, The Enquirer, 23 Oct. 2024 The ubiquitous and popular diner chain Denny’s will close 150 locations by the end of next year amid declining revenue and changing consumer habits, the company announced Tuesday. Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for diner 

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of diner was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near diner

Cite this Entry

“Diner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diner. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

diner

noun
din·​er ˈdī-nər How to pronounce diner (audio)
1
: one that dines
2
b
: a restaurant in the shape of a railroad car

More from Merriam-Webster on diner

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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