# buffet

/ˈbəfət/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/buffet
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 2. a blow or strike

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a heavy hit or strike, usually from the wind or a hand.

For teachers: a blow or cuff, typically delivered with the hand or as a result of a physical force like wind.

- The sudden buffet of the wind nearly knocked the umbrella out of her hand.
- The small vessel endured a constant buffet from the Atlantic swells, testing the endurance of the seasoned crew.

### 3. aircraft vibration

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the shaking of an airplane when the air moves roughly over its wings.

For teachers: the aerodynamic vibration of an aircraft caused by airflow separation, typically occurring near a stall or at high speeds.

- The pilot felt a slight buffet as the plane slowed down to land.
- Structural buffet can occur when the wake from the wing interacts with the tail surfaces during high-angle-of-attack manoeuvres.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun in aviation contexts.

### 4. to hit repeatedly

verb · CEFR B2

to hit something many times, like waves hitting a boat or wind hitting a building.

For teachers: to strike repeatedly and violently; to batter. Often used in the passive voice to describe the effects of weather.

- The small cabin was buffeted by strong winds all through the night.
- The coastal town was severely buffeted by the hurricane, leaving many historic structures with significant roof damage.

## Examples

- We ate dinner at the hotel buffet.
- The wedding reception featured a buffet with pasta, salads, and fresh fruit.
- The grand hotel's breakfast buffet offered an impressive array of international dishes, from traditional French pastries to spicy Indian curries.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.