Pub

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /pÊŒb/

Definitions

  1. A commercial establishment where alcoholic drinks are served and consumed on the premises, often providing food and entertainment
  2. A social venue primarily focused on serving alcoholic beverages, where patrons can gather, enjoy food, and participate in various forms of entertainment
  3. A drinking establishment that offers patrons a place to enjoy alcoholic drinks, often featuring food options and social activities

Etymology: Pub is a clipping of "public house," a phrase for an establishment open to any paying customer, as opposed to a private home or a club. The "public" half means "of the people," from Latin "publicus," while "house" is the same plain Old English word it has always been. Clipping long compounds into one syllable is a common English habit, as with "bus" from "omnibus." The landlord's title, publican, has an older and odder history. It comes from Latin "publicanus," a contractor who collected taxes for the Roman state, so the word for a pub keeper descends from a tax collector.

Synonyms: tavern, bar, saloon, inn, public house