gâteau

noun

gâ·​teau (ˌ)gä-ˈtō How to pronounce gâteau (audio)
variants or gateau
plural gâteaux or gateaux (ˌ)gä-ˈtō(z) How to pronounce gâteau (audio) also gateaus
Synonyms of gâteaunext
1
: food baked or served in the form of a cake
eggplant gâteau
2
: a rich or fancy cake

Examples of gâteau 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.
For the main entree, choose from adobo pork belly, uni pasta or kabocha squash gateau. — Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 3 Jan. 2025 And desserts, such as pistachio tiramisu and chocolate gateau with caffe latte gelato. — Imelda García, Dallas Morning News, 20 Mar. 2026 Finish things off with a bright mandarin orange petit gateau with citrus mousse and vanilla cake. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 6 Mar. 2026 The petite gateau may be the most lifelike of them all, with a deep red color and a furry velvet exterior. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025 Dessert is their Love at First Bite trio features Bailey's chocolate gateau, calamansi sorbet, and almond panna cotta in a berry velvet sauce. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 11 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, from Old French gastel, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wist sustenance, food

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gâteau was in 1764

Browse Nearby Words

gateage
gâteau
gate-crash
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gâteau.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/g%C3%A2teau. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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