tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈta-vərn How to pronounce tavern (audio)
Synonyms of tavernnext
1
: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold to be drunk on the premises
2
: inn

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
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.
Taverna della Gelosia Puglia travel advisor Ylenia Sambati loves this rustic tavern in Ostuni’s old town. Megan Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025 Among them is a pizza tavern in Northern Kentucky that's already become a reliable spot to take out-of-town guests, gather with the family or have a beer and a pizza alone. Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Dec. 2025 The reel revealed the couple also had their very own winter village set up, complete with a skating rink that has moving figurines, a tavern, a Dairy Queen and a dress shop with mannequins in the window. Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025 At least nine people were killed early Sunday as a group of assailants opened fire with pistols and an assault rifle at a South African tavern, local police officials said. Liezl Thom, ABC News, 21 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tavern

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tavern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tavern. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

tavern

noun
tav·​ern ˈtav-ərn How to pronounce tavern (audio)
1
: an establishment where alcoholic liquors are sold to be drunk on the premises
2
: inn

More from Merriam-Webster on tavern

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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