tavern

[ tav-ern ]

noun

1. a place where liquors are sold to be consumed on the premises.

   Synonyms: pub, bar

2. a public house for travelers and others; inn.

   Synonyms: hostelry

tavern

/ ˈtævən /

noun

1. a less common word for pub
2. a place licensed for the sale and consumption of alcoholic drink

Other Words From

• tavern·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tavern¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English taverne, from Old French, from Latin taberna “hut, inn, wine shop”

Word History and Origins

Origin of tavern¹

C13: from Old French taverne, from Latin taberna hut

Synonym Study

See hotel.

Example Sentences

A few Saturdays ago, a charming teacher asked Katherine Palmer, 64, on a date at a local tavern.

From Time

The tavern originally consisted of three keg taps and four barstools alongside the repair pit.

From Outside Online

The tavern is the only business in Monowi, and running it is Eiler’s most important and longest-standing job.

From Eater

I ask her if the news stories and social media — where travelers share proud selfies with her and accounts that specialize in fascinating facts repost images of the tavern — have been a boon for business.

From Eater

Whoever was elected captain would take them down to the local tavern and they’d get blasted.

From Washington Post

Throughout the years it has also served as a sailor tavern and a high-end restaurant.

From The Daily Beast

She could have auditioned to be the tavern wench or a faerie; instead, she signed on as a merchant, knitting chain-mail bikinis.

From The Daily Beast

So raucous did the celebration get that City Tavern took the unusual step of sending along a bill for “breakage.”

From The Daily Beast

At the end of the fourth season premiere, Arya and The Hound stumble upon a tavern in the woods.

From The Daily Beast

“I was just with him at the Minetta Tavern, having a martini and a burger,” she says.

From The Daily Beast

Tatham says, "Even the tavern keepers were compelled to exchange a dinner for a few pounds of tobacco."

From Project Gutenberg

"I think I'll stroll down to the tavern and see this stranger," I replied carelessly.

From Project Gutenberg

It has been years since they have had a license at our tavern, so there was a solitary man in the bar-room when I entered.

From Project Gutenberg

To solve this one I stopped on the tavern steps, leaned against a pillar, and gazed through the dozing village.

From Project Gutenberg

Longcluse had made up his mind promptly on the night of the billiard-match played in the Saloon Tavern.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bar
• hotel
• inn
• lodge
• lounge
• pub
• saloon
• watering hole