public house
Americannoun
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British. a tavern.
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an inn or hostelry.
noun
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the formal name for pub
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an inn, tavern, or small hotel
Etymology
Origin of public house
First recorded in 1565–75
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.
Penmaenmawr town council advised householders at Capelulo, particularly those around the Fairy Glen public house, to "leave safely and follow the instructions of the emergency services on scene".
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
In his response to the debate, the minister for the constitution, Dafydd Trystan Davies, said the debate had descended "to the level of a public house" at points.
From BBC ● Jun. 17, 2026
Although bereft of screech and cod, many students quickly discover The Crown public house.
From BBC ● Nov. 27, 2023
“This is an old-school public house, I love that term, public house,” Donald said.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 16, 2020
“I talked it over with a few members of the council and we decided that it would be quite all right for you to use the public house if you would care to.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
