English Reference

Word

catering

Phoneticscater·ing

US/ˈkeɪtɝɪŋ/

UK/kˈeɪtəɹɪŋ/

Definitions

01food service business

B2

n. the work of providing food and drinks for events like parties, weddings, or business meetings.

n. the professional service of providing food and drink, typically for social events or within an institutional framework.

“We need to find a company that handles the catering for the wedding.”

“The university outsourced its catering to a private firm to reduce overhead costs while maintaining a consistent standard of service for students.”

Usage

Often used as an uncountable noun or as a modifier before another noun, such as 'catering company'.

Synonyms

food servicehospitality

02providing what is needed

B2

v. the act of providing what a person or group wants or needs.

v. the present participle of 'cater', meaning to provide what is required or desired by a specific audience.

“The new hotel is catering to business travellers who need fast internet.”

“By catering specifically to the needs of elderly residents, the community centre has seen a significant increase in daily attendance.”

Usage

Usually followed by the preposition 'to' or 'for'.

Real-World Examples

“After three years at catering school in Accra, Abiro Wisdom was certain of one thing – he did not want to go into catering.”
The Guardian · 26 Aug 2026
“Evidence also suggests people caught the bug while eating out, rather than at home - with catering and food services such as restaurants, cafes or take-aways likely to play a part.”
BBC News · 19 Aug 2026

Collocations

catering truck

This entry

Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

englishreference.com/q/catering

English Reference