cider

noun

ci·​der ˈsī-dər How to pronounce cider (audio)
1
: fermented apple juice often made sparkling by carbonation or fermentation in a sealed container
2
: the expressed juice of fruit (such as apples) used as a beverage or for making other products (such as applejack)

Examples of cider in a Sentence

a cup of apple cider
Recent Examples on the Web There are notes of sour cherry, chocolate-orange, blueberry compote, raspberry, and lemon curd on the palate, followed by flavors like espresso, apple cider, fig, raisin, and apricot. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 23 Feb. 2024 Also known for its Hard Nose Spirits, cider, and winery, LBC has a long history. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 20 Feb. 2024 Whole parsley leaves are tossed with mixed chicories, slices of pickled winter squash, and an apple cider vinaigrette for nice palate-cleansing acidity. Sunset Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Warm ciders, red wine, and local craft beers are always a holiday hit. Charlottefive Staff, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Known for its bountiful produce, from Westcombe Dairy cheddar to The Newt’s ciders and Landrace’s sourdough, the culinary scene is ever-evolving. Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2024 Cover and let rise until doubled in size. Make the filling: Combine apples and apple cider in a medium microwaveable glass bowl. Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2023 Titos Handmade Vodka 1 can or bottle of ginger beer 1 lemon Cinnamon sticks Star anise pods Step 1 Make the apple-spiced syrup: Heat the cider and brown sugar in a pot on the stove, and add cinnamon sticks and star anise pods to taste. Caroline Portillo, Charlotte Observer, 29 Jan. 2024 When: Saturday, Feb. 24, 6-10 p.m. Check out exhibits and science demonstrations while sampling beers and ciders from 35+ local breweries. Jenny Hartley, Charlotte Observer, 1 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cider.' 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

Middle English sider, sedyr, cidre "alcoholic drink (in Biblical translations and references), cider," borrowed from Anglo-French sizre, ciser, cydre, going back to Gallo-Romance *cīsera, by metathesis form of Late Latin (Vulgate) sīcera "alcoholic drink," borrowed from Greek (Septuagint) síkera, borrowed from Hebrew shēkhār, from a Semitic base š-k-r, whence Hebrew shākhar "become drunk," Arabic sikara

Note: The medieval French form sizre is attested once, in the 12th-century Cambridge, or Eadwine Psalter, where it appears as a translation of the Latin siceram in Psalm 68:14 (the Vulgate has vinum in this passage). (For other medieval outcomes and modern dialect forms see Französisches etymologisches Wörterbuch, v. 11, pp. 589-90.) Presumably *cīs(ĕ)ra yielded *tsizdra, which with loss of the internal sibilant yielded cidre (see Pierre Fouché, Phonétique historique du français, vol. 3 [Paris: Klincksieck, 1966], p. 822). Latin sīcera and its vernacular outcomes were likely disseminated and applied to the fermented juice of fruit, especially apples, in monasteries, particularly in non-wine-producing areas of Europe such as Normandy; Norman localization would also account for the thorough penetration of the word into Anglo-French.

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cider was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near cider

Cite this Entry

“Cider.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cider. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cider

noun
ci·​der ˈsīd-ər How to pronounce cider (audio)
: the juice pressed out of fruit (as apples) and used especially as a drink and in the making of vinegar

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