posada

American  

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

noun

plural

posadas

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

---

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

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 family that organized the second posada of this season had to wait for 28 years!”

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