bourbon

noun

bour·​bon ˈbu̇r-bən 

ˈbȯr-;

usually in sense 3

ˈbər- 

1

capitalized : a member of a French family founded in 1272 to which belong the rulers of France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830, of Spain from 1700 to 1808, from 1814 to 1868, from 1875 to 1931, and from 1975, of Naples from 1735 to 1805, and of the Two Sicilies from 1815 to 1860

2

: a rose (Rosa borboniana) of upright growth with shining leaves, prickly branches, and clustered large flowers

3

: a whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 51 percent corn plus malt and rye compare corn whiskey

4

often capitalized : a person who clings obstinately to old social and political ideas

specifically : an extremely conservative member of the U.S. Democratic party usually from the South

bourbonism

ˈbu̇r-bə-ˌni-zəm 

ˈbȯr-

noun often capitalized

Examples of bourbon in a Sentence

I prefer bourbon to Scotch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Angel’s Envy staff will guide guests through a variety of chocolates that are paired with its classic Angel’s Envy, Angel’s Envy Rye and Angel’s Envy Triple Oak bourbons. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2025

The dinner-exclusive peach cocktail is the Peach Tea Mule, a seasonal cocktail combining sweet tea, bourbon, peach, ginger beer, and lime for another spin on a classic sweet and spicy favorite. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 May 2025

Take the Yuanyang Martini, an espresso martini with black sesame and black tea or Red Robe, featuring cognac, bourbon, oolong tea and white miso. —Lina Abascal, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025

Finan said this is a good starting point for those interested in knowing the difference between, say, a blend of bourbons and a blended bourbon. —Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) after the lordship of Bourbon in central France, where the family originated; (sense 2) after French rose de Bourbon, after the Île Bourbon (now réunion), where the rose likely originated; (sense 3) probably after Bourbon County, Kentucky, or its pre-statehood predecessor, a county of Virginia that included much of northeastern Kentucky; (sense 4) after the association of the Bourbon dynasty with conservative royalist politics in France

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bourbon

• turban
• interurban
• suburban

Biographical Definition

Bourbon

biographical name

Bour·​bon ˈbu̇r-bən 

bu̇r-ˈbōⁿ

Charles de 1490–1527 Duc de Bourbon French general; constable of France