drink

1 of 2

verb

ˈdriŋk 

drank ˈdraŋk  ; drunk ˈdrəŋk  or drank; drinking

transitive verb

1

a

: swallow, imbibe

drink a glass of water

b

: to take in or suck up : absorb

drinking air into his lungs

c

: to take in or receive avidly

—usually used with in

drank in every word of the lecture

2

: to join in a toast (see toast entry 1 sense 2a) to

I'll drink your good health.

3

: to bring to a specified state by drinking alcoholic beverages

drank himself into oblivion

intransitive verb

1

a

: to take liquid into the mouth for swallowing

eating and drinking

b

: to receive into one's consciousness

drinking deep of the culture which surrounds them

—L. R. Ward

2

: to partake of alcoholic beverages

has quit drinking

3

: to make or join in a toast

I'll drink to that!

drink

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a liquid suitable for swallowing

provided with food and drink

b

: alcoholic beverages

2

: a draft (see draft entry 1 sense 2b) or portion of liquid

poured herself a drink

3

: excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages

he took to drink when his business failed

4

: a sizable body of water

—used with the

landed in the drink

Phrases

drink the Kool-Aid

[after a 1978 mass suicide in Guyana brought about when members of the Peoples Temple cult were ordered to consume a flavored drink mixed with cyanide] : to comply unquestioningly with the demands or policies of a particular leader, ideology, or organization

Synonyms

Verb

• belt (down)
• gulp
• guzzle
• hoist
• imbibe
• knock back
• pound (down)
• quaff
• sip
• slug (down)
• slurp
• sup
• swig
• swill
• toss (down or off)

Noun

• beverage
• drinkable
• libation
• potable
• quencher

Examples of drink in a Sentence

Verb

The baby still drinks from a bottle.

What would you like to drink?

We drank orange juice with breakfast.

I drink lots of water when I'm hiking.

She drank too much last night and woke up sick this morning.

It's not safe to drink and drive.

She drank herself into a stupor.

He nearly drank himself to death.

Noun

We serve coffee, tea, and other hot drinks.

Food and drink will be provided.

They went to the bar for a few drinks.

Can I get you another drink?

He took a long drink from his glass.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The American Heart Association (AHA) advises against the idea of starting to drink alcohol just to try to prevent heart disease. —Peter Burke, Fox News, 16 Dec. 2024

Beyond just my daughter, me, and the occasional friend she’s seen drinking from an Owala, Amazon shoppers love the brand, too. —Terri Peters, Parents, 16 Dec. 2024

Noun

Here, guests can sip on a drink beside a life-sized ice and snow astronaut, or make a quick exit via a slide carved from ice and snow. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

Near the pool, guests can enjoy a drink and small plates at the Bvlgari Bar, the perfect place to take in a sunset while having a pre, or after-dinner drink. —Ryan Smith, Travel + Leisure, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English drincan; akin to Old High German trinkan to drink

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

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

Phrases Containing drink

• demon drink
• drink-driver
• drink-driving
• drink in
• drink problem
• drink (someone) under the table
• drink to
• drink up
• drive someone to drink
• energy drink
• I'll drink to that!
• mixed drink
• soft drink
• sports drink
• stiff drink
• strong drink
• take to drink
• the demon drink
• the drink

Kids Definition

drink

1 of 2 verb

ˈdriŋk 

drank ˈdraŋk  ; drunk ˈdrəŋk  or drank; drinking

1

a

: to swallow liquid

b

: absorb sense 1

c

: to take in through the senses

drink in the scenery

2

: to drink alcoholic beverages

drinker noun

drink

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: beverage

b

: alcoholic liquor

2

: a draft or portion of liquid

Medical Definition

drink

1 of 2 verb

ˈdriŋk 

drank ˈdraŋk  ; drunk ˈdrəŋk  or drank; drinking

transitive verb

: swallow, imbibe

drink liquid

intransitive verb

1

: to take liquid into the mouth for swallowing

2

: to partake of alcoholic beverages especially habitually

specifically : to indulge in alcoholic beverages with disagreeable effect

drink

2 of 2 noun

1

: liquid suitable for swallowing especially to quench thirst or to provide nourishment or refreshment

2

: alcoholic liquor

3

: a draft or portion of liquid (as water or a prepared beverage) taken or to be taken by an individual at one time