publican

noun

pub·​li·​can ˈpə-bli-kən 

1

a

: a Jewish tax collector for the ancient Romans

b

: a collector of taxes or tribute

2

chiefly British : the licensee of a public house

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The mystifying rejection weighs heavily on Pádraic at the bar, where questions about his friend’s absence from the publican, Jonjo (Pat Shortt), rub salt into the wound. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2022

In British usage, a publican is someone who owns a pub. —Julie Carr Smyth, chicagotribune.com, 27 Feb. 2021

In the kitchen there was Rob, the publican, who had basically given up cooking, and Andy, a northerner who was miserable and really the guy in charge of the kitchen. —Dan Hunter, Bon Appetit, 5 May 2017

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin publicanus tax farmer, from publicum public revenue, from neuter of publicus

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

publican

noun

pub·​li·​can ˈpəb-li-kən 

: a tax collector for the ancient Romans