watering hole

noun

Synonyms of watering holenext
1
2
: a place where people gather socially
especially : watering place sense 3

Examples of watering hole in a Sentence

supposedly, that Broadway hangout was the favorite watering hole for 1940s celebrities
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.
In the evening, head to Tanimachi 4-chome, a low-key residential pocket about 15 minutes away on foot, where locals frequent lively izakayas and cozy watering holes like wine bar Anchovy Butter. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026 Detroit’s beloved Checker Bar is set to reopen on March 4 after a January 2025 basement fire shuttered the popular downtown watering hole at Cadillac Square. Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 25 Feb. 2026 Two lengthy bars line the sides of the GA level, with another watering hole at the back. Hannah Kirby, jsonline.com, 25 Feb. 2026 Previous Irish pubs in the area just felt like watering holes that served Guinness (and most bars serve Guinness nowadays anyway). Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watering hole

Word History

First Known Use

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of watering hole was in 1776

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watering hole.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watering%20hole. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.

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