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

Others say that the two bits contributed were to help Poinsett himself keep the lights on (so to speak, of course, this would've been a couple hundred years pre-electricity) in his own tavern. —Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Apr. 2026

As the vessel toured Baja California, Diana Sanders of Vacaville sampled tequila shots — 14 or 15 in total — from six ship taverns, tequileras and pubs, according to court documents. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026

The 1600s map shows it as a building called the Sign of the Cock, likely a tavern. —ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026

It's located among several other taverns and restaurants in the heart of Fells Point. —Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 15 Apr. 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