1British provide people with food and drink at a social event or other gathering:my mother helped to cater for the party (as noun catering)high standards of catering
[with object]North American provide food and drink for (an event):he catered a lunch for 20 people
2 (cater for/to) provide with what is needed or required:the school caters for children with learning difficulties
(cater for) take into account or make allowances for:the scheme caters for interest rate fluctuations
(cater to) try to satisfy (a need or demand):he catered to her every whim