TAVERN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does tavern mean? 

• TAVERN (noun)
  The noun TAVERN has 1 sense:

1. a building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

  Familiarity information: TAVERN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TAVERN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A building with a bar that is licensed to sell alcoholic drinks

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

tap house; tavern

Hypernyms ("tavern" is a kind of...):

building; edifice (a structure that has a roof and walls and stands more or less permanently in one place)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "tavern"):

beer garden (tavern with an outdoor area (usually resembling a garden) where beer and other alcoholic drinks are served)

bucket shop ((formerly) a cheap saloon selling liquor by the bucket)

gin mill; pothouse; pub; public house; saloon; taphouse (tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms; often provides light meals)

rathskeller (a tavern below street level featuring beer; originally a German restaurant in the basement of city hall)

shebeen (unlicensed drinking establishment)

 Context examples 

It is not fit that he should be living about at his own charge now, at lodgings and taverns.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

I could not help joining, and we laughed together, peal after peal, until the tavern rang again.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

As he spoke there came a roar of singing from the tavern upon the right, with shouts of laughter and stamping of feet.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But even then his passion for writing letters was too strong to be resisted; for while we were yet in the height of our excitement, hope, and wonder, the following pastoral note was brought to me from a neighbouring tavern, at which he had called to write it:— MY DEAR SIR, I beg to be allowed to convey, through you, my apologies to your excellent aunt for my late excitement.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Two hours later Alleyne Edricson followed; for he had the tavern reckoning to settle, and many other duties which fell to him as squire of the body.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I set off, overjoyed at this opportunity to see some more of the ships and seamen, and picked my way among a great crowd of people and carts and bales, for the dock was now at its busiest, until I found the tavern in question.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

You must come with me first to the prince, and then back to the hostel; though sure I am that it would grieve his heart that any gentle cavalier should turn from his board to a common tavern.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

When I had done breakfasting the squire gave me a note addressed to John Silver, at the sign of the Spy-glass, and told me I should easily find the place by following the line of the docks and keeping a bright lookout for a little tavern with a large brass telescope for sign.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

The fog was rapidly dispersing; already the moon shone quite clear on the high ground on either side; and it was only in the exact bottom of the dell and round the tavern door that a thin veil still hung unbroken to conceal the first steps of our escape.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

All the time he was jerking out these phrases he was stumping up and down the tavern on his crutch, slapping tables with his hand, and giving such a show of excitement as would have convinced an Old Bailey judge or a Bow Street runner.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)