tavern

noun

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

Synonyms of tavern

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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.
Known for his connections to Richard’s Bar, the old-school tavern where the city’s smoking ordinances never seem to be enforced, Dominic has reputed Outfit ties that go back many years. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 There has been plenty written about the tavern, including a 1992 Cincinnati Post story about two men who remember hearing about the attack on Pearl Harbor on the radio while playing a dice game at City View, then known as Lagemann's. — Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026 Dig Into a Classic Burger at Redamak’s Redamak’s has been flipping its famous cheeseburgers in New Buffalo since 1946, when George and Mary Redamak turned a humble lakeside tavern into a summer staple. — Amy Bizzarri, Midwest Living, 20 Aug. 2026 Crosby confirmed the tavern was open Monday and Tuesday but that several employees didn’t show up for work. — Phillip Valys, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for tavern

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Browse Nearby Words

taver
tavern
taverna
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Cite this Entry

“Tavern.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tavern. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tavern

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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