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

Because Ulf the White, the drunken tavern-dweller, cannot be found. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

The Lantern tavern threw the first iteration of the block party in 2016 as a celebration for its 50th anniversary. — Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 6 Aug. 2026

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also have patronized the tavern. — Madeline Montgomery, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Every evening, Sal and Tony finish their shifts and hit the taverns. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 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