dram

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈdram 

plural drams

1

a(1)

: a unit of weight in the avoirdupois system equal to one sixteenth of an ounce see Weights and Measures Table

(2)

: a unit of weight in the apothecaries' system equal to one eighth of an ounce see Weights and Measures Table

b(1)

US : a unit of liquid capacity equal to ¹/₈ fluid ounce see Weights and Measures Table

(2)

British : a unit of liquid capacity equal to 0.217 cubic inches see Weights and Measures Table

2

a

: a small portion of something to drink

b

: a small amount

dram

2 of 4

noun (2)

ˈdräm 

: the basic monetary unit of Armenia see Money Table

dram

3 of 4

abbreviation

dramatic; dramatist

DRAM

4 of 4

noun (3)

ˈdram 

also

ˈdē-ˌram 

: a type of RAM that must be continuously supplied with power and periodically rewritten in order to retain data compare sram

Did you know?

In avoirdupois weight—that is, the system of weights commonly used in North America and the United Kingdom—a dram is equal to 1/16 ounce (1.772 grams). The word dram was borrowed from the Anglo-French and Late Latin word dragme, which was originally used for a silver coin used by the ancient Greeks (now known in English as the drachma) as well as for the coin's approximate weight. In the 16th century, English speakers began also using dram for a weight of fluid measure (also called a fluid dram) equal to 1/8 fluid ounce, and more loosely for any small portion of something to drink. Dram is also used figuratively for any small amount, in much the same way as grain and ounce.

Synonyms

Noun (1)

• ace
• bit
• crumb
• dab
• driblet
• glimmer
• hint
• lick
• little
• mite
• nip
• ounce
• particle
• peanuts
• ray
• scintilla
• scruple
• shade
• shadow
• shred
• skosh
• smack
• smell
• smidgen
• smidgeon
• smidgin
• smidge
• snap
• soupçon
• spark
• spatter
• speck
• splash
• spot
• sprinkling
• strain
• streak
• suspicion
• tad
• touch
• trace

Examples of dram in a Sentence

Noun (1)

allow me to offer a dram of advice

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

We were taken aback by the remarkable balance this dram strikes; a bargain between sandalwood aromas, creamy vanilla textures, and a chili pepper palate. —Brad Japhe, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

What to order: A dram and draft for $10 to get the best of both worlds — whiskey and beer. —Lindsey Erdody, Axios, 16 Oct. 2024

These included a selection of cocktails like highballs or old fashioneds with various garnishes or drams of the straight whisky. —Em Sauter, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

Both of these single malts are not available as full bottles—instead, Duncan Taylor is releasing them as small 100-ml mini drams, presumably due to the amount of liquid available. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 5 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English dragme, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, dram, drachma, from Late Latin dragma, from Latin drachma, from Greek drachmē, literally, handful, from drassesthai to grasp

Noun (2)

Armenian, literally, coin, money, ultimately from Greek drachmē drachma

Noun (3)

dynamic + RAM (random-access memory)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(2)

Noun (2)

1993, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1980, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dram

• fluid dram

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Kids Definition

dram

noun

ˈdram

: a unit of liquid capacity equal to ⅛ fluid ounce see measure

Medical Definition

dram

noun

variants also drachm

ˈdram 

1

: either of two units of weight:

a

: an avoirdupois unit equal to 1.772 grams or 27.344 grains

b

: a unit of apothecaries' weight equal to 3.888 grams or 60 grains

2

: fluid dram