Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A place of business serving beer or other alcoholic drinks and often basic meals.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A public house; a tavern.
  • noun An abbreviation of public, publish, or publisher.
  • noun An abbreviation of published
  • noun of publication.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A public house, where beverages, primarily alcoholic, may be bought and drunk. Many pubs also provide food and/or entertainment.
  • verb intransitive To go to one or more public houses.
  • noun A publication.
  • verb informal, transitive to publish

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms; often provides light meals

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Short for public house.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Short form of public, from public house

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Abbreviation of publication

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Abbreviation of publish

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Examples

  • At that point he had more requests for newspaper interviews and TV appearances than he could conveniently handle, and he earned himself the title pub-philosophe, "publicity philosopher."

    Paris: Moses and Polytheism Sheehan, Thomas 1980

  • Going to the pub is always good at the end of a long day where your limbs hurt and your brain is full.

    What Happened? [Part 3] 2009

  • This opera house in a pub is a worthwhile venture, but has not yet hit its form.

    The Barber of Seville (or Salisbury) – review George Hall 2010

  • I realized that if I really am embarking on a research career, this pub is the first of many.

    Archive 2006-07-01 ScienceWoman 2006

  • And ... a pub is a pub is a pub, at least in my book (and, for that matter, in the books of most people at BA/MA institutions ... the Research I rat race is for the birds, IMHO).

    La Profesora Abstraida 2005

  • Running towards the pub is the only thing Shaun has ever done, and even under zombie attack Shaun does not know how to climb out of his rut.

    Shaun of the Dead 2005

  • Lord Justice Brian Leveson said Thursday that there was a distinction between what he described as "pub chatter" between friends on such sites and organizations which publish material for public consumption.

    The Seattle Times 2012

  • I would like to know what he defines as pub culture.

    rediff.com 2009

  • (Soundbite of laughter) SAGAL: At these pub-based birthing classes in Australia, dads-to-be learn about birthing techniques, etiquette and where the pub is so they can flee to it.

    George Takei Of 'Star Trek' Plays 'Not My Job' 2010

  • (Soundbite of laughter) SAGAL: At these pub-based birthing classes in Australia, dads-to-be learn about birthing techniques, etiquette and where the pub is so they can flee to it.

    George Takei Of 'Star Trek' Plays 'Not My Job' 2010

Comments

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  • Contraction of "public house".

    June 18, 2008

  • Apocope.

    June 18, 2008

  • Interesting article about English pubs here.

    A sample: "Amid the low murmur of relaxed conversation you can feel the easy comfort, the happiness, of human beings at rest. And with the old plow tackle hanging from the ceiling, and the flagstone floor, and the bushy hops among the beams, there’s a sense of history’s being a friend, of this means of relaxation’s being sanctioned and endorsed through having been enjoyed for centuries."

    Another: "I doubt you could walk in here and not feel better, no matter what you’re going through. The very air is thick with over 200 years of soul-soothing. It’s everything a pub should be: a fabric of mercy, a haven from the preoccupations of post-industrial life, a timeless space more connected with the fields and springs, the repeating cycle of generations, than with the particular troubles of our own times. It has been softened by the goodwill of different eras."

    July 20, 2009