n. A public house where wines and other liquors are sold, and where food is provided for travelers and other guests; a public house where both food and drink are supplied; an inn.n. Synonyms Inn, Tavern, Hotel, House. In the United States inn and tavern are rarely now popularly applied to places of public entertainment, except sometimes as quaint or affected terms; but in law tavern is sometimes used for any place of public entertainment where liquor is sold under license. Hotel is the general word, or, often, house as the name of a particular hotel.