First Known Use: 1580
Dictionary
cater
verb ca·ter \ˈkā-tər\
: to provide food and drinks at a party, meeting, etc., especially as a job
Full Definition of CATER
intransitive verb
1
: to provide a supply of food
2
: to supply what is required or desired <catering to middle-class tastes>
transitive verb
: to provide food and service for <catered the banquet>
— ca·ter·er \-tər-ər\ noun
See cater defined for English-language learners
See cater defined for kids
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Origin of CATER
obsolete cater buyer of provisions, from Middle English catour, short for acatour, from Anglo-French, from acater to buy — more at cate
CATER Defined for Kids
cater
verb ca·ter \ˈkā-tər\
ca·teredca·ter·ing
Definition of CATER for Kids
1
: to provide a supply of food <cater for parties>
2
: to supply what is needed or wanted
— ca·ter·er noun
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