beer

noun

1
: a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage that is usually made from malted cereal grain (especially barley), is flavored with hops, and typically contains less than a 5% alcohol content compare ale, craft beer, lager entry 1, malt liquor sense 2
2
: a carbonated nonalcoholic or a fermented slightly alcoholic beverage with flavoring from roots or other plant parts
birch beer
3
: fermented mash
4
: a drink of beer

Examples of beer in a Sentence

Would you like beer with dinner? The pub brews its own beer. I'll have a beer, please. a couple of cold beers a glass of birch beer
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.
While the west coast built its beer reputation on hoppy beers, one of Deschutes’s flagships is the dark and broody Black Butte Porter. Don Tse, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025 Each participant had a couple of slices of pizza and consumed an identical mix of drinks, from wine, beer, and cocktails, to Sambuca shots (which turned out to be the most popular order of the night). Emily Peck, WIRED, 31 Dec. 2024 The limited-release cologne, which smells like beer, barstools and greasy food, is meant to celebrate the Champagne of Beers’ most beloved gathering spots. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 31 Dec. 2024 Sip cocktails or beer from Dave & Buster’s Mobile Bar, snag official ASU gear at the Rally House pop-up and join in the excitement with prize opportunities. Endia Fontanez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for beer 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ber, going back to Old English bēor, akin to Old High German bior "beer," Old Norse bjórr; perhaps all going back to a dissimilated form of Germanic *breura-, a nominal derivative of *brewwan- "to brew entry 1"

First Known Use

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near beer

Cite this Entry

“Beer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beer. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

beer

noun
1
: an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavored with hops
2
: a nonalcoholic drink made from roots or other parts of plants
birch beer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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