tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈta-vərn 

1

: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold to be drunk on the premises

2

: inn

Synonyms

• bar
• barroom
• café
• cafe
• cantina [Southwest]
• dramshop
• gin mill
• grogshop [chiefly British]
• pub
• public house [chiefly British]
• saloon
• taproom
• watering hole
• watering place

Examples of tavern in a Sentence

a seedy section of the city's waterfront that was rife with cheap taverns, tattoo parlors, and run-down flophouses

a colonial-era tavern that has been serving weary travelers for two and a half centuries

Recent Examples on the Web

Lots of restaurants around town serve them, either as a starter or as the main event of a humble, satisfying winter meal, but the refined 37 Alpine Eating and the classic family-run tavern Gasthaus Fink just beside Piazza Walther are especially nice places to enjoy them. —Ann Abel, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Those in Birmingham can also visit the tavern that inspired the show's criminal hangout. —Matt Cabral, EW.com, 12 Jan. 2025

These fresh takes on the traditional Japanese drinking tavern still specialize in small, shareable dishes, but do so with a notable irreverence. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2025

Following his death, locals gathered at the tavern to raise a glass in his memory. —Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 30 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English taverne, from Anglo-French, from Latin taberna hut, shop

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈtav-ərn 

1

: an establishment where alcoholic liquors are sold to be drunk on the premises

2

: inn