inn

¹

[ in ]

noun

1. a commercial establishment that provides lodging, food, etc., for the public, especially travelers; small hotel.

   Synonyms: hostelry

2. a tavern.
3. (initial capital letter) British.
   1. any of several buildings in London formerly used as places of residence for students, especially law students. Compare Inns of Court.
   2. a legal society occupying such a building.

Inn

²

[ in ]

noun

1. a river in central Europe, flowing from S Switzerland through Austria and Germany into the Danube. 320 miles (515 km) long.

Inn

¹

/ ɪn /

noun

1. a river in central Europe, rising in Switzerland in Graubünden and flowing northeast through Austria and Bavaria to join the River Danube at Passau: forms part of the border between Austria and Germany. Length: 514 km (319 miles)

inn

²

/ ɪn /

noun

1. a pub or small hotel providing food and accommodation
2. (formerly, in England) a college or hall of residence for students, esp of law, now only in the names of such institutions as the Inns of Court

Other Words From

• innless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of inn¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English, Old English in(n) “house”; akin to Old Norse inni (adverb) “within, in the house”

Word History and Origins

Origin of inn¹

Old English; compare Old Norse inni inn, house, place of refuge

Synonym Study

See hotel.

Example Sentences

Java’s stand predated by two years the uprising over similar anti-LGBTQ+ police harassment at the Stonewall Inn in New York, and has never received the same attention.

From Los Angeles Times

Just two miles south of the dirt lot where Libre is planned, UPholdings secured state and local funding to renovate Crossroads Village, a former inn, into permanent housing with 143 units that will open in January and feature a pool, playground and multi-bedroom units.

From Los Angeles Times

In April 2023, the council had unanimously approved a developer’s request to apply for state funding for a project that would revamp a Quality Inn on a quiet tree-lined street surrounded by medical offices.

From Los Angeles Times

A mob attacked the Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth, which was housing asylum seekers.

From BBC

IHG, the owner of the Holiday Inn brand, declined to comment when approached about riot compensation but has previously said its priority was "the safety and security of our guests and colleagues".

From BBC

Related Words

• hostel
• hotel
• lodge
• motel
• resort
• saloon
• tavern