concoction

noun

con·​coc·​tion kən-ˈkäk-shən 

kän-

plural concoctions

1

: something (such as a food or drink) that is concocted from various elements : something prepared or devised by combining different ingredients

an elaborate concoction

This concoction is a cross between hot chocolate and a grasshopper, a mixed drink that gets its minty kick from crème de menthe.

—Kim Steckler

… the disc offers quite an unusual concoction of old and new songs that are surprisingly cohesive.

—Jon Hetman

2

: the act of process of concocting something

One of these young men had a rare faculty in the concoction of gin-cocktails.

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

Synonyms

• brainchild
• coinage
• contrivance
• creation
• innovation
• invention
• wrinkle

Examples of concoction in a Sentence

the first submarine must have seemed like a wild concoction at the time

Recent Examples on the Web

The historic fantasy of the Great White Way as a glamorous montage of gleaming marquees, sparky backstage romances, and elegant audiences reveling in black tie was a Hollywood concoction, arguably false from the start. —Frank Rich, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2025

These date shakes are deliciously creamy concoctions made of milk or ice cream and blended with date crystals invented by Shield’s Date Garden. —Pat Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 6 Apr. 2025

Where Does The Name Come From? While Watergate Salad might be more commonly known in some circles, the Watergate Cake actually predates the fluffy concoction. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2025

Lots of people need their fix of this delicious sweet concoction. —Walter E Block, Orange County Register, 22 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for concoction

• decoction
• auction