Oxford Dictionary English public house noun noun BrE BrE//ˌpʌblɪk ˈhaʊs// ; NAmE NAmE//ˌpʌblɪk ˈhaʊs// (British English, formal) jump to other results = pub The company owns over 300 public houses. The new law applies to public houses and hotel premises.Check pronunciation: public house oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com