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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
As reports of tourists’ deaths emerged in recent days, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Canada and the US all issued statements urging their citizens to be cautious about drinking alcohol in Laos. Lilit Marcus, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024 To drink, enjoy a Bottled Coquito for two, La Huerta (two to four people), or Mezcal Cranberry (two to four people). Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Noun
Feel free to set up a drink space with all the accouterments, from glassware to garnishes, that guests can help themselves to. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024 Without hesitating, Gus belly flopped into the water below with a splash, took a drink and began swimming. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for drink 

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 28 Nov. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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