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
Champagne is the go-to drink, along with expensive wine. Kim Gordon, Variety, 13 Mar. 2024 But some people avoid the exam because of the hassle of getting time off work or the day-ahead preparation that involves drinking a strong laxative to empty the bowels. Carla K. Johnson, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 The Arizona Department of Health Services recommends everyone should drink at least two liters of water per day. Kira Caspers, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Participants can take Irish dance lessons, play games to win prizes and enjoy food and drink specials at participating restaurants. The San Diego Union-Tribune Staff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Mar. 2024 For example, materialism is associated with negative self-appraisal including self-doubt, as well as risky health behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Talia Varley, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2024 This test usually requires measuring one's blood sugar levels at different 1-, 2-, and 3-hour intervals after drinking the liquid. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024 This is a classic robe for lounging in while drinking coffee or throwing on after a shower. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024 Dorsey also compiled a guide to the best new and talked-about places to eat and drink this month. Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
Quintero said that customers will soon be able to order food along with their drinks. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 2 Mar. 2024 My aim is to bring friends to Astoria from Manhattan or the Bronx who have been trying to do dinner or drinks with me and can’t because everyone is so busy. Alix Strauss, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 An employee’s bottle of Minute Maid was jammed into the ice used for drinks. David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024 Passengers can choose from two classes of service, both of which include lunch and drinks. Hannah Towey, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Mar. 2024 Opened by the crew behind the legendary Vesper cocktail bar, 4th Wall delivers a winning blend of classic drinks with a sophisticated twist, and an ever-changing menu. Isabelle Kliger, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 The message urged travelers to take precautions like keeping an eye on their drinks; staying with a group of friends in bars and clubs, while walking in dark areas or in taxis at night; and letting family and friends know about their travel plans. Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 1 Mar. 2024 The new drinks won’t be released through Blue Moon, but through Villa’s new company called CERIA. Michael McGough, Sacramento Bee, 21 Feb. 2024 The menu includes classic drinks like Tom Collins, Bee’s Knees and Rob Roy, for example. Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 20 Feb. 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 18 Mar. 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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