n. 1 a a large room or hall, esp. in a hotel or public building. b a public room or gallery for a specified purpose (billiard-saloon; shooting-saloon). 2 (in full saloon car) a motor car with a closed body and no partition behind the driver. 3 a public room on a ship. 4 US a drinking-bar. 5 (in full saloon bar) Brit. the more comfortable bar in a public house. 6 (in full saloon car) Brit. a luxurious railway carriage serving as a lounge etc. saloon deck a deck for passengers using the saloon. saloon-keeper US a publican or bartender. saloon pistol (or rifle) a pistol or rifle adapted for short-range practice in a shooting-saloon.
[ F salon f. It. salone augment. of sala hall ]