tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈta-vərn 

1

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

2

: inn

Synonyms of tavern

• pub
• saloon
• bar

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

Dig Into a Classic Burger at Redamak’s Redamak’s has been flipping its famous cheeseburgers in New Buffalo since 1946, when George and Mary Redamak turned a humble lakeside tavern into a summer staple. — Amy Bizzarri, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026

Crosby confirmed the tavern was open Monday and Tuesday but that several employees didn’t show up for work. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

The new restaurant will serve as a neighborhood tavern and will feature trendy live-fire cooking and menu items like tableside Caesar salad, clams casino pasta and martinis. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 18 Aug. 2026

The Quiet Few tavern had to close its outdoor dining due to the construction on the road out front. — Mike Sullivan, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for tavern

• cavern

Kids Definition

tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈtav-ərn 

1

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

2

: inn