tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈta-vərn How to pronounce tavern (audio)
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.
On his way to Orlok’s castle, Thomas stops off at a tavern, where the locals warn him to abandon his journey. Damon Wise, Deadline, 2 Dec. 2024 In 2022, 21 teenagers died in South Africa after drinking at a tavern; their blood all showed levels of methanol at the time of their death. Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 21 Nov. 2024 Who knows, maybe someone will invite you to post-race snacks at a local tavern! Marilyn La Jeunesse, Parents, 20 Nov. 2024 The space, which Disney refers to as a tavern, is now under construction in Adventureland and is scheduled to open next year. Dewayne Bevil, Orlando Sentinel, 11 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near tavern

Cite this Entry

“Tavern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tavern. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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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