tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈta-vərn 

1

: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold to be drunk on the premises

2

: inn

Synonyms

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

Examples of tavern in a Sentence

a seedy section of the city's waterfront that was rife with cheap taverns, tattoo parlors, and run-down flophouses

a colonial-era tavern that has been serving weary travelers for two and a half centuries

Recent Examples on the Web

On his way to Orlok’s castle, Thomas stops off at a tavern, where the locals warn him to abandon his journey. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024

In 2022, 21 teenagers died in South Africa after drinking at a tavern; their blood all showed levels of methanol at the time of their death. —Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024

Who knows, maybe someone will invite you to post-race snacks at a local tavern! —Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 20 Nov. 2024

The space, which Disney refers to as a tavern, is now under construction in Adventureland and is scheduled to open next year. —Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taverne, from Anglo-French, from Latin taberna hut, shop

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈtav-ərn 

1

: an establishment where alcoholic liquors are sold to be drunk on the premises

2

: inn