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hostelry

noun

hos·​tel·​ry ˈhä-stᵊl-rē How to pronounce hostelry (audio)
plural hostelries
Synonyms of hostelrynext
: inn, hotel

Examples of hostelry in a Sentence

the grande dame of the city's hostelries, it has played host to presidents, kings, and Hollywood royalty
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The tub, along with an adjacent swimming pool, once belonged to a coastal hostelry not far from Pullen’s home, until they were swallowed by the shifting sands. Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2025 Said to be one of the oldest inns in the Western world, this 12th-century hostelry in the Cotswolds has accumulated quite the collection of supernatural guests over the years. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025 Located in the West Loop at the intersection of May Street and Washington Boulevard, this three-story hostelry was restored in 2016 by Vero Design + Build and architects Kara Boyd and Krista Petkovsek, and Siren Betty Design. Brian E. Clark, Chicago Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025 The Turf, like the Miners an institution for generations that is now known around the world thanks to the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, was among those hostelries packed to the rafters. Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostelry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hostelrye, ostelrye, borrowed from Anglo-French hostillerie, from hosteler hosteler + -erie -ery

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hostelry was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hostelry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostelry. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

hostelry

noun
hos·​tel·​ry ˈhäs-tᵊl-rē How to pronounce hostelry (audio)
plural hostelries
: inn, hotel
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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