hostelry

noun

hos·tel·ry ˈhä-stᵊl-rē

plural hostelries

Synonyms of hostelry

: inn, hotel

Examples of hostelry in a Sentence

the grande dame of the city's hostelries, it has played host to presidents, kings, and Hollywood royalty

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

The tub, along with an adjacent swimming pool, once belonged to a coastal hostelry not far from Pullen’s home, until they were swallowed by the shifting sands. — Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 12 Nov. 2025 Built from the bones of a 12th-century hostelry, its hub is a vast, glamorous lounge bar complete with mixologists shaking modern-day mocktails under the ancient beams. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 May 2026 Said to be one of the oldest inns in the Western world, this 12th-century hostelry in the Cotswolds has accumulated quite the collection of supernatural guests over the years. — Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025 The Turf, like the Miners an institution for generations that is now known around the world thanks to the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, was among those hostelries packed to the rafters. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for hostelry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hostelrye, ostelrye, borrowed from Anglo-French hostillerie, from hosteler hosteler + -erie -ery

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hostelry was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Browse Nearby Words

hosteler

hostelry

hostess

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hostelry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hostelry. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hostelry

noun

hos·tel·ry ˈhäs-tᵊl-rē

plural hostelries

: inn, hotel

hostelry

noun

Synonyms of hostelry

Examples of hostelry in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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