Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Saloon \Sa*loon"\ (s[.a]*l[=oo]n"), n. [F. salon (cf. It.
   salone), fr. F. salle a large room, a hall, of German or
   Dutch origin; cf. OHG. sal house, hall, G. saal; akin to AS.
   s[ae]l, sele, D. zaal, Icel. salr, Goth. saljan to dwell, and
   probably to L. solum ground. Cf. {Sole} of the foot, {Soil}
   ground, earth.]
   1. A spacious and elegant apartment for the reception of
      company or for works of art; a hall of reception, esp. a
      hall for public entertainments or amusements; a large room
      or parlor; as, the saloon of a steamboat.

            The gilden saloons in which the first magnates of
            the realm . . . gave banquets and balls. --Macaulay.

   2. Popularly, a public room for specific uses; esp., a
      barroom or grogshop; as, a drinking saloon; an eating
      saloon; a dancing saloon.

            We hear of no hells, or low music halls, or low
            dancing saloons [at Athens.]          --J. P.
                                                  Mahaffy.

Source : WordNet®

saloon
     n 1: a room or establishment where alcoholic drinks are served
          over a counter; "he drowned his sorrows in whiskey at
          the bar" [syn: {barroom}, {bar}, {ginmill}, {taproom}]
     2: tavern consisting of a building with a bar and public rooms;
        often provides light meals [syn: {public house}, {pub}, {pothouse},
         {gin mill}, {taphouse}]