: restaurant
specifically : a usually small Italian restaurant

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In Italian, "trattore" is the word for an innkeeper or restaurant owner. That word derives from the Old French verb traitier, which means "to treat" and is related to the Latin tractare, meaning "to drag about, handle, or deal with." "Trattoria," which first appeared in English in 1832, is one of several words that have entered our language to refer to a kind of specialized eatery - in this case, one that specializes in Italian cuisine. Others that have come later include "bistro" (from French, 1921), "brasserie" (from French, 1864), and "taqueria" (from Mexican Spanish, 1982).

Examples of trattoria in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While the world’s grand dining rooms served Champagne and Bordeaux in elegant crystal stemware, corner bistros and local trattorias poured even their best wines into clunky glass goblets. — Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026 Their picks range from fresh seafood to old-school trattorias, sushi spots, classic bistros, and more. — Anna Grace Lee, Vogue, 22 Sep. 2026 Guests can also expect tile floors, wood paneling, and bentwood bistro chairs, lending a kind of timeless neighborhood trattoria vibe. — John Kessler, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 Umbria, the underrated, landlocked region in central Italy, is famous for its lush landscapes, medieval palaces, and rustic trattorias. — Jessica Sulima, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for trattoria

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from trattore restaurateur, from French traiteur, from traiter to treat, from Old French traitier — more at treat entry 1

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trattoria was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Trattoria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trattoria. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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