busboy

noun

bus·​boy ˈbəs-ˌbȯi How to pronounce busboy (audio)
: a waiter's assistant
specifically : one who removes dirty dishes and resets tables in a restaurant

Examples of busboy 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.
A little lady from Italy hired me as a busboy in 1985. — Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026 His entourage subdued Sirhan as a teenage busboy cradled the injured Kennedy. — Sophia Zhang, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 2026 As a result, guests have the same servers, busboys and restaurant managers throughout their trip, and the waitstaff gets to know the guests — and their preferences. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 4 Mar. 2026 Commentators noted that shoeshine boys and busboys began to imitate Fetchit’s notorious walk in the real-world streets. — Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for busboy

Word History

Etymology

omnibus busboy

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of busboy was in 1901

Rhymes for busboy

See All Rhymes for busboy

Browse Nearby Words

bus bar
busboy
busby
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Busboy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/busboy. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

busboy

noun
bus·​boy ˈbəs-ˌbȯi How to pronounce busboy (audio)
: a person employed in a restaurant to remove dirty dishes and set tables

More from Merriam-Webster on busboy

Nglish: Translation of busboy for Spanish Speakers

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