drink

1 of 2

verb

drank ˈdraŋk How to pronounce drink (audio) ; drunk ˈdrəŋk How to pronounce drink (audio) or drank; drinking

transitive verb

1
a
: swallow, imbibe
drink a glass of water
b
: to take in or suck up : absorb
drinking air into his lungs
c
: to take in or receive avidly
usually used with in
drank in every word of the lecture
2
: to join in a toast (see toast entry 1 sense 2a) to
I'll drink your good health.
3
: to bring to a specified state by drinking alcoholic beverages
drank himself into oblivion

intransitive verb

1
a
: to take liquid into the mouth for swallowing
eating and drinking
b
: to receive into one's consciousness
drinking deep of the culture which surrounds themL. R. Ward
2
: to partake of alcoholic beverages
has quit drinking
3
: to make or join in a toast
I'll drink to that!

drink

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a liquid suitable for swallowing
provided with food and drink
b
: alcoholic beverages
2
: a draft (see draft entry 1 sense 2b) or portion of liquid
poured herself a drink
3
: excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
he took to drink when his business failed
4
: a sizable body of water
used with the
landed in the drink
Phrases
drink the Kool-Aid
[after a 1978 mass suicide in Guyana brought about when members of the Peoples Temple cult were ordered to consume a flavored drink mixed with cyanide] : to comply unquestioningly with the demands or policies of a particular leader, ideology, or organization

Examples of drink in a Sentence

Verb The baby still drinks from a bottle. What would you like to drink? We drank orange juice with breakfast. I drink lots of water when I'm hiking. She drank too much last night and woke up sick this morning. It's not safe to drink and drive. She drank herself into a stupor. He nearly drank himself to death. Noun We serve coffee, tea, and other hot drinks. Food and drink will be provided. They went to the bar for a few drinks. Can I get you another drink? He took a long drink from his glass.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
In the meantime, Bruning said Ohioans should look to ride services and other transit options when drinking. Max Filby, The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024 One area of focus for the investigation is whether the group had inside knowledge of the facility, said the source, who added that the heist was discovered on Monday. BREAKFAST BROWSE Is decaf coffee safe to drink? Alexandra Banner, CNN, 5 Apr. 2024 Rich layers of chocolate stout, bourbon, and chocolate syrup, all drizzled with cream, make this drink a chocolate-lover's delight. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Apr. 2024 Smash cut to dozens of thirsty Wisconsinites heading straight to the bar, drink tickets burning a hole in our pockets. Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024 People should fast for the majority of the day and drink no water during the event. The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024 Question: Rose is vilified for drinking and cursing just like men do. Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY, 4 Apr. 2024 The man asked Shrader to drink some alcohol with him, and Shrader obliged. Longreads, 4 Apr. 2024 As shakes are often not as voluminous as whole foods, kids may be able to drink larger quantities. Tamar Kane, Ms, Rd, Parents, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Plus, The Mission’s menu has a variety of specialty drinks such as an Oregon chai latte, a mango green tea smoothie, beer and mimosas. Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2024 Steep it in simple syrup for a throat remedy, drink mixer, or ice cream, pancake or fruit salad topping. Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024 Non-Muslims caught selling food, drinks or tobacco to Muslims during fasting hours are also subject to penalties. Heather Chen, CNN, 8 Apr. 2024 At night, the street (Borgo La Croce) fills with young people having drinks outside of bars such as Articolo and Enoteca Sosta dei Papi. Or head to the Porta Romana area. Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Apr. 2024 Look no further than Sunny D, a beloved drink for kids of all ages. Jason Rossi, The Enquirer, 5 Apr. 2024 The hotel will bid farewell to the old-school bar with one last event, Curtain Call, which will include live music, cigars and a special menu of popular food and drinks featured on menus over the years. The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024 Here, drinks are served in stunning Baccarat crystal, and people-watching is top-notch. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Apr. 2024 This new drink is made with Patrón Premium Silver Blanco Tequila, Citrónge Orange Liqueur, Monin Blue Raspberry and Passion Fruit syrups, and lemon and lime. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'drink.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English drincan; akin to Old High German trinkan to drink

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of drink was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near drink

Cite this Entry

“Drink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/drink. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

drink

1 of 2 verb
drank ˈdraŋk How to pronounce drink (audio) ; drunk ˈdrəŋk How to pronounce drink (audio) or drank; drinking
1
a
: to swallow liquid
c
: to take in through the senses
drink in the scenery
2
: to drink alcoholic beverages
drinker noun

drink

2 of 2 noun
1
a
b
: alcoholic liquor
2
: a draft or portion of liquid

Medical Definition

drink

1 of 2 verb
drank ˈdraŋk How to pronounce drink (audio) ; drunk ˈdrəŋk How to pronounce drink (audio) or drank; drinking

transitive verb

: swallow, imbibe
drink liquid

intransitive verb

1
: to take liquid into the mouth for swallowing
2
: to partake of alcoholic beverages especially habitually
specifically : to indulge in alcoholic beverages with disagreeable effect

drink

2 of 2 noun
1
: liquid suitable for swallowing especially to quench thirst or to provide nourishment or refreshment
2
: alcoholic liquor
3
: a draft or portion of liquid (as water or a prepared beverage) taken or to be taken by an individual at one time

More from Merriam-Webster on drink

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