tavern

noun

tav·​ern ˈta-vərn How to pronounce tavern (audio)
1
: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold to be drunk on the premises
2
: inn

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
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.
Visitors will find a 20-acre nature preserve, along with shops and restaurants, including The Citizen, a coastal tavern. Nathan Diller, USA TODAY, 18 Mar. 2025 After starting the tavern, his father added carryout business and in 1960 moved the store to a large building in Old Town at 756 W. North Ave. Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 6 Mar. 2025 The idea is to connect the tavern visually with the street and the XL Center. Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 Mar. 2025 This Uptown joint is a tavern meets pub vibe with low ceilings and lots of TVs. Kayleigh Ruller, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tavern

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of tavern was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tavern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tavern. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

tavern

noun
tav·​ern ˈtav-ərn How to pronounce tavern (audio)
1
: an establishment where alcoholic liquors are sold to be drunk on the premises
2
: inn

More from Merriam-Webster on tavern

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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