rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypublicanPub keeper
noun

publican

PUB-lih-kun/ˈpʌblɪkən/

A person who owns or runs a pub.

The publican polishes a glass while overseeing her pub from behind the bar.

A middle-aged white woman pub owner stands behind her wooden bar polishing a glass, calmly overseeing a small welcoming pub with plain unmarked taps.
Etymology
publicEnglishpub
+anEnglishperson associated with

Public here stands for public house, and -an identifies a person associated with it. That association is specifically the keeper’s role: owning or running the pub.

In context

UK Business Lab7:15
The publican who retires comfortable rarely got rich pulling pints. They got rich owning the room.
The Economics of Owning a British Pub (in the UK)

More examples

  • The publican hires two servers for the busy summer season.
  • Local publicans meet to discuss new licensing rules.
  • We ask the publican whether we can reserve the back room.

Forms

publican · publicans

Similar words

tavernkeeper
Runs a tavern, not necessarily an establishment called a pub.
proprietor
Owns a business of any kind, not specifically a pub.