From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
cabaret
n 1: a spot that is open late at night and that provides
entertainment (as singers or dancers) as well as dancing
and food and drink; "don't expect a good meal at a
cabaret"; "the gossip columnist got his information by
visiting nightclubs every night"; "he played the drums
at a jazz club" [syn: nightclub, club, nightspot]
2: a series of acts at a night club [syn: floorshow, {floor
show}]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cabaret \Cab"a*ret\ (k[a^]b"[.a]*r[e^]t; 277), n. [F.]
1. A tavern; a house where liquors are retailed. [Obs. as an
English word.]
[1913 Webster]
2. A type of restaurant where liquor and dinner is served,
and entertainment is provided, as by musicians, dancers,
or comedians, and usually providing space for dancing by
the patrons; -- similar to a nightclub. In some cases, the
performers dance or sing on the floor between the tables,
after the practice of a certain class of French taverns.
The term cabaret is often used in the names of such an
establishment.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]
3. The type of entertainment provided in a cabaret[2].
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]