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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The forthcoming Waldorf Astoria will be part of Deer Valley East Village’s slate of eight hotels, including the now-open Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, a Four Seasons (to debut in 2028) and a Canopy by Hilton (which will open this summer).—
Jennifer Kester,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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By the early 20th century, Japanese immigrants opened restaurants, beauty salons, grocery stores, hotels, and other businesses in lower downtown Denver.—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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Its use extends far beyond bars and pubs.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
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
-
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
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These establishments range from cozy cafes and historic taverns to strip-mall Italian spots.—
Amanda Hancock,
IndyStar,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Caviar used to be given away in 19th century saloons to encourage drinking.—
Chad Murphy,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Feb. 2026
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Until the mid-1950s, most were old-fashioned four-door saloons, but the TD21 changed all that—as did its TE21 and TF21 successors.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 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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Soon after, William Stevenson went on to open up The Stone Balloon Club, which became one the most popular college bars in the country near the University of Delaware in Newark, where the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Dave Matthews and The Allman Brothers Band played for crowds for decades.—
Gary Grumbach,
NBC news,
3 Feb. 2026
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Once-quiet block gripped by fear Despite King being behind bars, nearly all the block’s residents talk about their ongoing fears — fear that King might somehow make bail and be released.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Entrepreneur Bob Snow develops Church Street Station, a collection of nightclubs and entertainment venues, in downtown Orlando.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
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Soon after, they were seen partying around SoCal — from Coachella to Hollywood nightclubs.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Public houses.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/public%20houses. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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