1
as in hotels
a place that provides rooms and usually a public dining room for overnight guests
took lodging at a public house that had recently been completely renovated
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in pubs
chiefly British
a place of business where alcoholic beverages are sold to be consumed on the premises
visited a public house in London that has been welcoming customers since the time of Charles Dickens
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of public houses
The Lone Goat This English pub, which draws inspiration from public houses and taverns of London, is on the ground floor of the historic Metropolitan Building in downtown Detroit.
—
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Susan Selasky, Freep.com, 7 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for public houses
Noun
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For example, Category 7 Hyatt hotels cost 25,000 points per night (for standard nights).—
Jason Stauffer,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The area is so popular that hotels and resorts — many named for the arch — have sprung up to accommodate visitors.—
Barbie Latza Nadeau,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Local pizzerias expect to do plenty of business on Super Bowl Sunday, but the same won’t necessarily be true for Elgin-area restaurants and pubs whose owners say pro football’s biggest game of the year doesn’t generate big bucks.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Feb. 2026
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To relax, people can hit one of the city's many pubs or sip on afternoon tea.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The spacious lecture halls and hostels of the Friendship University were significantly superior to its overcrowded counterparts in western Europe at the time, but discipline was strict and students were strongly discouraged from traveling even around Moscow.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Jan. 2026
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Most hostels have a list of activities available for guests to sign up for, and if not, then there are walking tours or live music events at local bars.—
Olivia Morelli,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Visitors can explore cheese-making at Grafton Village Cheese, dine at cozy taverns and a beloved general store, and enjoy museums, trails, and covered bridges.—
Megan Margulies,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Feb. 2026
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This was the original use for Bar Keepers Friend, to polish brass rails at bars and taverns, often underfoot.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Soon after, the area became a hub with saloons, butchers, bakeries and department stores.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Caviar used to be given away in 19th century saloons to encourage drinking.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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These watering holes might even attract other beneficial garden animals, says Lapic.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Speaking of rum—Barbados is considered the birthplace of the spirit, after all—you’ll have ample opportunities to imbibe thanks to more than 1,500 watering holes.—
Kristin Braswell,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Ronald Bryant, 56, pleaded no contest to assault and two counts of false imprisonment and was sentenced in late December to four years behind bars.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
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The New Mexico measure prohibits state and local government contracts for ICE detention facilities and bars agreements that allow local law officers to carry out federal immigration functions.—
David A. Lieb,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Latin-rock pioneer Carlos Santana, who cut his teeth on guitar as a teenager playing in Tijuana nightclubs, will rock on down the highway this summer on a joint tour with his band and fellow Rock & Roll Hall of Famers The Doobie Brothers.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
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His other parent, Charles Bing, is a trans woman who performs in nightclubs under the moniker Helena Handbasket.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Public houses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20houses. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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