reservation
rez-er-VAY-shun
/ˌrɛzərˈveɪʃən/
An arrangement made in advance to secure a table at a restaurant.
Implies a formal mutual agreement where the restaurant promises a table at a specific time and the diner promises to arrive.
The story behind the word. Derived from Latin reservare, combining re- (back) and servare (to keep or guard). Originally used for storing food or land, by the 19th century it referred to setting aside seats or tables in public venues.
Word relationships
- booking: 'Booking' is preferred in British English, whereas 'reservation' is standard in American English dining.
- walk-in: A walk-in arrival happens spontaneously without any prior agreement or advance notice.
Commonly confused with
- booking: Both mean securing a spot, but reservation is preferred in North American dining contexts.
Word family
- reserve (verb): To arrange for a table or room to be kept for later use.
- reserved (adjective): Kept aside for a specific person or group.
Collocations
- make a reservation
- confirm a reservation
- cancel a reservation
- hold a reservation
Idioms & expressions
- table on hold
Example sentences
- "We made a dinner reservation three weeks in advance for our wedding anniversary." Fine dining arrangement
Memory hook
Think of RE-SERVING a table set aside specifically for your party. Kept in reserve before you arrive.
When not to use
Do not use for casual counter-service eateries where tables cannot be reserved in advance.
Fun facts
- In ancient Rome, patrons sent slaves hours ahead to physically occupy dining couches at banquets before reservations existed.
Related words
Also appears in
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