1
a
b
: an agent (such as a drug) that increases body tone
c
: one that invigorates, restores, refreshes, or stimulates
a day in the country was a tonic for him
d
: a liquid preparation for the scalp or hair
e
chiefly New England
: a carbonated flavored beverage
2
: the first tone of a major or minor scale : keynote
3
: a voiced sound
1
a
: characterized by tonus
tonic contraction of muscle
also
: marked by prolonged muscular contraction
tonic convulsions
b
: producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (such as muscles)
2
a
: increasing or restoring physical or mental tone : refreshing
b
: yielding a tonic substance
3
: relating to or based on the first tone of a scale
tonic harmony
4
of a syllable
: bearing a principal stress or accent
5
: of or relating to speech tones or to languages using them to distinguish words otherwise identical
Synonyms
Examples of tonic in a Sentence
Adjective
breathe in clear tonic mountain air
never underestimate the tonic power of humor on a sick person
Recent Examples on the Web
Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Gin and Tonic With election night in full swing, this gin and tonic brings a warm, earthy twist to a classic.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2022
Across the courtyard from the tonic bar is an indoor/outdoor smoking space about the size of all three cabanas smooshed together and an eastern-facing glass wall that slides open.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for tonic 
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Noun
If so desired, it can be served in a large snifter typical of the Spanish-style gin and tonic, but in that case, only fill the glass halfway with ice, leaving plenty of room to savor the aromatics.
—Jeff Burkhart, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
Gin and Tonic With election night in full swing, this gin and tonic brings a warm, earthy twist to a classic.
—Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Research has found that turmeric supplements may delay the onset of tonic-clonic seizures as well as myoclonic jerks.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 18 Oct. 2022
Across the courtyard from the tonic bar is an indoor/outdoor smoking space about the size of all three cabanas smooshed together and an eastern-facing glass wall that slides open.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Dec. 2022
See all Example Sentences for tonic
Dictionary Entries Near tonic
Cite this Entry
“Tonic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tonic. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tonic
1 of 2 adjective
ton·ic
ˈtän-ik 
1
: making (as the mind or body) stronger or healthier
2
: relating to or based on the first tone of a scale
tonic chord
tonic harmony
tonic
2 of 2 noun1
a
: a medicine that increases body tone
b
: a liquid to be used on the hair or scalp
c
chiefly New England
: soda pop
d
2
: the first tone of a scale
Medical Definition
tonic
1 of 2 adjective
ton·ic
ˈtän-ik
1
a
: characterized by tonus
tonic contraction of muscle
also
: marked by or being prolonged muscular contraction
tonic convulsions
b
: producing or adapted to produce healthy muscular condition and reaction of organs (as muscles)
2
a
: increasing or restoring physical or mental tone
b
: yielding a tonic substance
tonic
2 of 2 noun
: an agent (as a drug) that increases body tone
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