noun · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
US:/ˈkeɪtəɹɚ/
US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:K EY1 T ER0 ER0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
noun
Meaning 1
A person employed to obtain and maintain the storage of provisions, especially food.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1821 June 19, ”Peregrine,” The Traveller: Letter IV, in The Kaleidoscope; Or, Literary and Scientific Mirror, page 401, It was in vain that I petitioned, appealing to our caterer, if proofs of appetite were wanting; for sick men seldom have occasion for that important person′s services.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
noun
Meaning 2
A person or company hired to provide and serve food, usually for a large group and at a location separate from where the food is prepared.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
1994, John N. Ingham, Lynne B. Feldman, Dutrieuille, Peter Albert (1838—1916) and Albert E. Dutrieuille (July 26, 1877—April 25, 1974), entry in African-American Business Leaders: A Biographical Dictionary, page 225, From a family of French West African descent, Albert Dutrieuille was the last of the great African-American caterers in Philadelphia.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
noun
Meaning 3
someone who provides food and service (as for a party)
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: supplier, provider
History
Etymology
Etymology tree English cater Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzios Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English caterer From cater + -er.
Across languages
Translations
12 source translations are retained for this English entry.
French:
fournisseur
— person employed to obtain provisions, especially food
Esperanto:
proviantanto
— person or company hired to provide food
French:
traiteur
— person or company hired to provide food
French:
traiteuse
— person or company hired to provide food
German:
Speiselieferant
— person or company hired to provide food
German:
Partyservice
— person or company hired to provide food
German:
Catering-Service
— person or company hired to provide food
German:
Cateringunternehmen
— person or company hired to provide food
Malay:
jurusaji
— person or company hired to provide food
Malay:
katerer
— person or company hired to provide food
Māori:
kaitaka kai
— person or company hired to provide food
Spanish:
banquetero
— person or company hired to provide food
