saloon

noun

sa·​loon sə-ˈlün 

1

a

chiefly British : salon sense 1

b

chiefly British : an often elaborately decorated public hall

c(1)

: a usually large public cabin on a ship (as for dining)

(2)

: the living area on a yacht

d

chiefly British : salon sense 4

e

: barroom

2

: salon sense 2

3

British

a

: parlor car

b

: sedan sense 2a

called also saloon car

Synonyms

• bar
• barroom
• café
• cafe
• cantina [Southwest]
• dramshop
• gin mill
• grogshop [chiefly British]
• pub
• public house [chiefly British]
• taproom
• tavern
• watering hole
• watering place

Examples of saloon in a Sentence

cowboys drinking in the saloon after their work was done for the day

Recent Examples on the Web

The actor spends most of the film—if the trailer is to be trusted—wandering the vast plains of Utah in ruffled saloon gowns with big woven baskets hooked over her arm. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 25 June 2024

Though the buildings of State and Main streets bring to mind dusty Denver saloons, Montpelier's name is a nod to early America's strong friendship with France. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 20 June 2024

Any and all can sidle up to the saloon counter, push forward an empty glass and demand to be served. —Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 31 May 2024

There's a long history of beautiful saloon girls in American cinema, and Tanya fits right in with her hair piled high and her zealous use of rouge. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

French salon, from Italian salone, augmentative of sala hall, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German sal hall; akin to Lithuanian sala village

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

saloon

noun

sa·​loon sə-ˈlün 

1

: a public room for socializing especially on a ship

2

: barroom