inn

1 of 2

noun

ˈin 

1

a

: an establishment for the lodging and entertaining of travelers

b

: tavern

2

: a residence formerly provided for British students in London and especially for students of law

inn

2 of 2

verb

inned; inning; inns

intransitive verb

: to put up at an inn

Synonyms

Noun

• auberge
• caravansary
• caravanserai
• hospice
• hostel
• hostelry
• hotel
• lodge
• public house
• tavern

Examples of inn in a Sentence

Noun

We stayed at a cozy little inn in the country.

we decided to stay at an inn rather than keep driving all night

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Hob Knob This classic New England inn in a 19th-century house in Edgartown has been accommodating guests for a century (including, in the 1940s, the Kennedy family). —Jennifer Wilson, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2024

Between that project, their residential work for clients, and managing three other homes in the Hearth Hospitality collection, the duo has found little time to finish their own homes, which are both more contemporary than the inn. —Christine Lennon, Sunset Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old Norse inni dwelling, inn, Old English in, adverb

First Known Use

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing inn

• motor inn

Kids Definition

inn

noun

ˈin

: a public house that provides lodging and food for travelers : hotel

Geographical Definition

Inn

geographical name

ˈin 

river 320 miles (515 kilometers) long flowing from southeastern Switzerland northeast through Austria into the Danube River in southeastern Germany see engadine