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posada

American  
[poh-sah-duh, paw-sah-thah] / poʊˈsɑ də, pɔˈsɑ ðɑ /

noun

  • posadas
    plural
  1. (in some Spanish-speaking countries) a government-operated or -approved inn offering moderately priced rooms to tourists, especially in a historic area.


posada British  
/ poˈsaða /

noun

  1. an inn in a Spanish-speaking country

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms


Etymology

Origin of posada

1755–65; < Spanish: inn, lodging, dwelling, equivalent to pos ( ar ) to lodge, rest (< Late Latin pausāre; see pose 1) + -ada, feminine of -ado -ate 1


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The posada was a moment of hope and happiness amid turmoil, and a reminder that not all law enforcement officers see immigration status as a measure of worth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 27, 2025

On the road rising to the Pyrenees, we stop at a posada, a roadside inn where strings of chorizo and peppers hang like wind chimes above the bar.

From Salon ● Nov. 8, 2025

The ill-fated Christmas party, known as a posada, was organized by a group of young people, many of whom had known one another for years.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 31, 2023

The style of each posada varies from town to town, but traditionally it is a re-enactment of part of the Christmas story.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 24, 2022

We passed through a town and stopped in front of the posada, and the driver took on several packages.

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway

Socialites have formed private “monkey clubs,” gathering for extravagant Christmas posadas and pool parties.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2024

She has attended these posadas since she was a kid.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 24, 2022

The Xochimilco posadas last several hours longer than most, and start at 8 a.m. when the host family picks up the Niñopa from its stewards.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 24, 2022

State housing officials at the Provincial Housing Company of Havana say the new network of five posadas will be highly lucrative and will help people struggling with Havana's overcrowded and scarce housing.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2017

They avoided, on their ride back, putting up at any of the posadas, or village inns, on their road; sleeping, as before, in the woods.

From Under Drake's Flag A Tale of the Spanish Main by Gordon Browne

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