shebeen

noun

she·been | \ shə-ˈbēn

How to pronounce shebeen (audio)

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Definition of shebeen

chiefly Ireland and South Africa

: an unlicensed or illegally operated drinking establishment

Examples of shebeen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Committee was worried this week that the news was so damned grim that finding a Top Commenter of the Week would be a slog through the shebeen’s collective neuroses, which are many and varied. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "The Un-American ICE," 26 Jan. 2018 As is their wont, The New York Times and most of the rest of the elite media concentrated first and foremost on how this budget will increase The Deficit, thereby standing in naked violation of the shebeen’s First Law of Economics. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "Trump's Budget Has No Purpose Except Fear," 13 Feb. 2018 While huddled over a fire in an oil barrel in the center of the shebeen’s function room, The Committee members knew that the winner probably would come from the news that The Girl With The Faraway Eyes was, well, eying a comeback. — Charles P. Pierce, Esquire, "You're Not NeverTrump Unless You're NeverRyan and NeverMcConnell," 5 Jan. 2018 The shebeen queens were some of the most powerful people in the community. — Beth J. Harpaz, chicagotribune.com, "The Irish pub phenomenon explained. 'Atlas of Beer' looks at beer culture around the world," 1 Mar. 2018 Rhythms of Zulu, Xhosa, Tswana; lyrics of township romances, girls sashaying to get water, rowdy shebeens. — The Economist, "Freedom’s blastHugh Masekela died on January 23rd," 1 Feb. 2018 It was outlawed by the authorities, so the brew itself--and the culture of drinking it in shebeens [illicit bars or clubs], while dancing and singing--became a form of resistance. — Pelican Bomb, NOLA.com, "'World of Zulu' reveals ties between New Orleans, South Africa," 17 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shebeen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of shebeen was circa 1787

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