# tavern

/ˈtævɝn/ (US) · /tˈævən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tavern
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a bar or pub

noun · CEFR B2

a place where you can buy alcoholic drinks and sometimes meals.

For teachers: an establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold for consumption on the premises, often serving food in a rustic or traditional setting.

- We stopped at a small tavern by the road for a drink and some lunch.
- The village tavern served as the primary social hub for the local community, offering a warm atmosphere and locally brewed ales.

### 2. historical inn

noun · CEFR C1 · Archaic

an old-fashioned building where travellers could drink and stay for the night.

For teachers: a historical establishment providing both alcoholic refreshment and overnight accommodation for travellers.

- The old tavern had small rooms upstairs for people travelling by horse.
- In the eighteenth century, the tavern was an essential stop for the mail coach, providing weary passengers with a hot meal and a bed.

Usage: In modern English, 'inn' or 'hotel' is preferred for places that provide lodging.

## Examples

- We stopped at a tavern for a quick lunch.
- The local tavern serves as a meeting place for villagers after work.
- In the novel, the dimly lit tavern serves as a backdrop for whispered conspiracies and sudden revelations.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.