Is a publican the same as a bartender?

No. A publican is the owner or manager (the licensee) of the pub. A bartender (or barman/barstaff) is an employee who serves drinks. The publican may also work behind the bar, but their primary role is managerial/legal.

Can 'publican' be used for a woman?

Yes, absolutely. While 'landlord' is traditionally masculine, 'publican' is gender-neutral. The feminine-specific term is 'landlady'.

Why does the word have two such different meanings?

Both meanings derive from the Latin 'publicanus' (a public contractor). In Rome, these contractors collected taxes (public revenues). In England, the term was later applied to individuals who held the license (the contract) to sell alcohol to the public.

What is the best synonym for the modern British meaning?

'Licensee' is the most precise legal synonym. 'Landlord' or 'pub landlord' is the most common everyday synonym.

How do you pronounce “publican”?

Publican: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpʌblɪkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpʌblɪkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

publican: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈpʌblɪkən/US/ˈpʌblɪkən/

Formal, historical, or specific to British/Irish/Australian contexts.

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Quick answer

What does “publican” mean?

A person who owns or manages a public house (pub), especially in the UK and Ireland.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A person who owns or manages a public house (pub), especially in the UK and Ireland.

Historically, in ancient Rome, a publican was a tax collector or contractor for public revenues. In modern British/Commonwealth usage, it refers specifically to a licensed manager of a pub. In Australian usage, it can refer to the owner/manager of a hotel with a liquor license.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In British English, 'publican' is the standard term for the owner/manager of a pub. In American English, this meaning is virtually unknown; terms like 'bartender', 'bar owner', 'innkeeper', or 'tavern keeper' are used instead. The American understanding is almost exclusively the historical/biblical 'tax collector'.

Connotations

UK: Neutral to slightly formal, associated with business ownership and community role. US: Archaic, historical, often with negative biblical connotations (greedy tax collector).

Frequency

High frequency in UK/Irish news, hospitality, and legal contexts. Very low frequency in US English, limited to academic/historical discussion.

Grammar

How to Use “publican” in a Sentence

The publican [verb e.g., refused, served, announced] that...publican of the [pub name]publican at the [pub name]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

licensed publicanlocal publicanpub publicanlandlord publican

medium

experienced publicannew publicanpublican and landladyretired publican

weak

friendly publicansuccessful publicancommunity publicanfamily-run publican

Examples

Examples of “publican” in a Sentence

noun

British English

The publican called last orders at half ten.
She's been the publican at The Red Lion for twenty years.
A group of publicans protested the new licensing fees.

American English

In the parable, the Pharisee and the publican prayed in the temple.
Roman publicans were responsible for tax collection in the provinces.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Referring to the licensee in legal, licensing, or trade publication contexts.

Academic

Primarily in historical studies of ancient Rome or New Testament studies.

Everyday

Used in UK/Irish news reports about pubs, e.g., 'The local publican is organising a charity event.'

Technical

Used in UK licensing law and hospitality industry documents.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “publican”

Strong

landlord landlady

Neutral

pub landlordpub managerlicenseeinnkeeper (archaic/formal)

Weak

bartender (different role)proprietorhotelier (Australian context)

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “publican”

patron customerpub-goerdrinker

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “publican”

Using 'publican' in US English to mean bartender.
Confusing 'publican' (person) with 'public house' (building).
Using the modern meaning when the historical (Roman) context is intended.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. A publican is the owner or manager (the licensee) of the pub. A bartender (or barman/barstaff) is an employee who serves drinks. The publican may also work behind the bar, but their primary role is managerial/legal.
: Yes, absolutely. While 'landlord' is traditionally masculine, 'publican' is gender-neutral. The feminine-specific term is 'landlady'.
: Both meanings derive from the Latin 'publicanus' (a public contractor). In Rome, these contractors collected taxes (public revenues). In England, the term was later applied to individuals who held the license (the contract) to sell alcohol to the public.
: 'Licensee' is the most precise legal synonym. 'Landlord' or 'pub landlord' is the most common everyday synonym.
: A person who owns or manages a public house (pub), especially in the UK and Ireland.
: Publican is usually formal, historical, or specific to british/irish/australian contexts. in register.
: Publican: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpʌblɪkən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpʌblɪkən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“As rich as a publican (historical, negative)”
“To have the publican's eye (observant, from managing a busy bar)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: PUBLIC + AN. The person in charge of a PUBLIC house (pub) for the publicAN (a person).

Conceptual Metaphor

A publican is a NODE in a SOCIAL NETWORK; the pub is the HUB, and the publican is the CENTRAL CONNECTOR.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the UK, a is responsible for the day-to-day running of a pub and holds the alcohol license.

Multiple Choice

In which context would the word 'publican' most likely be used in modern American English?