pub

¹ American  

[puhb] / pʌb /

noun

1. a bar or tavern.

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pub. ² American  

abbreviation

1. public.

2. publication.

3. published.

4. publisher.

5. publishing.

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pub. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. public

2. publication

3. published

4. publisher

5. publishing

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pub ² British  

/ pʌb /

noun

1. Formal name: public house.  a building with a bar and one or more public rooms licensed for the sale and consumption of alcoholic drink, often also providing light meals

2. a hotel

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verb

1. informal (intr) to visit a pub or pubs (esp in the phrase go pubbing )

Etymology

Origin of pub

First recorded in 1855–60; short for public house

Example Sentences

"There's not a lot going on anymore unless you want a pub or a curry," adds Hancock.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

The Red Lion pub, a few hundred metres from Vale Park, was the childhood home of singer Robbie Williams, Port Vale's most famous fan.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

Anne Marie, a beauty and complementary therapist with her own successful business, was at a pub in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, with her cousins on the night of the incident.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

"You bond over video games, it's the same thing as meeting someone in real life at the pub or anything like that."

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

“I’m sure I don’t know anyone like that. And what pub is this?”

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

Related Words

• bar
• inn
• lounge
• saloon
• tavern