publican

American  

[puhb-li-kuhn] / ˈpʌb lɪ kən /

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.

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publican British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of publican

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

Example Sentences

We're all said to have descended from Solomon Mycock, a 19th Century farmer and publican in Buxton - there's even a temple in his name at the top of the hill in the town.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

“Some people thought it was a bit petulant,” said Dave Burns, a hotelier and publican in Christchurch who helped launch the campaign.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

Garcia forma parte de otra tendencia, anterior a TikTok, en la que los jóvenes publican minidramas que atraen a millones de espectadores.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2023

Pell was born on June 8, 1941, the eldest of three children to a heavyweight champion boxer and publican also named George Pell, an Anglican.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2023

A fat red-faced man in check breeches and gaiters, who looked like a publican, was stroking her nose and feeding her with sugar.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell