1. a restaurant in which food and drinks are obtained from small compartments opened by inserting coins or tokens
Usage: chiefly historical; common in the early-to-mid 20th century, particularly in the United States

Examples

• My grandmother remembered eating lunch at the automat during her college years in the 1950s.
• The automat was a popular destination for quick, affordable meals in downtown cities.
• You could get a hot meal from the automat by dropping a nickel into the slot.
• The automat represented an early form of fast food service before modern chains emerged.
• Many automats have closed, but a few historic ones remain as nostalgic attractions.