publican

[puhb-li-kuhn]

noun

1. Chiefly British.,  a person who owns or manages a tavern; the keeper of a pub.

2. Roman History.,  a person who collected public taxes.

3. any collector of taxes, tolls, tribute, or the like.

publican

/ ˈpʌblɪkən /

noun

1. (in Britain) a person who keeps a public house

2. (in ancient Rome) a public contractor, esp one who farmed the taxes of a province

Word History and Origins

Origin of publican¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English word from Latin word pūblicānus. See public, -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of publican¹

C12: from Old French publicain, from Latin pūblicānus tax gatherer, from pūblicum state revenues

Example Sentences

The tradition was started by four publicans who were thinking of ways to generate income after Stilton was bypassed by the A1 in 1959, Adam Leon, one of its organisers previously told the BBC.

From BBC

Like prime ministers, Phil has seen four long-term publicans oversee his work.

From BBC

The petition, started by a West Midlands publican who voted Conservative at July's general election, has now gathered over 2.7m signatures.

From BBC

A publican already fed up with the new government has said the viral response to his petition calling for a fresh election - just months after the vote - has been beyond his "wildest dreams".

From BBC

Mr McDowall said that if it is removed, small publicans will see their business rates bill quadruple from April.

From BBC