tavern
UK: ˈtævən | US: ˈtævərn
n. a place where alcoholic drinks are served and people gather socially; a pub or inn.
n. (historically) an establishment offering lodging and food for travelers.
The word "tavern" traces back to Latin taberna, meaning "hut, shop, or inn," derived from tabula ("board, plank"), referencing the wooden counters used in shops. It entered Old French as taverne, retaining the sense of a drinking establishment or inn. The suffix -erne solidified its noun form in Middle English. Over time, "tavern" narrowed to specifically denote a place serving alcohol, distinct from broader lodging houses.
The old tavern by the harbor has been serving sailors for centuries.
We stopped at a cozy tavern to warm up with mulled wine.
Medieval taverns often doubled as meeting places for locals.
The sign outside the tavern creaked in the wind.
He shared tales of his travels with strangers at the tavern.