imbibe

verb

im·​bibe im-ˈbīb How to pronounce imbibe (audio)
imbibed; imbibing

transitive verb

1
a
: drink
b
: to take in or up
a sponge imbibes moisture
2
a
: to receive into the mind and retain
imbibe moral principles
b
: to assimilate or take into solution
3
archaic : soak, steep

intransitive verb

1
2
a
: to take in liquid
b
: to absorb or assimilate moisture, gas, light, or heat
imbiber noun

Examples of imbibe in a Sentence

She imbibed vast quantities of coffee. She never imbibes but isn't offended when others do.
Recent Examples on the Web Customers can also imbibe Guinness pints ($5), Jameson shots ($4) and Irish car bombs ($7). The Indianapolis Star, 13 Mar. 2024 The cream pies are made using mascarpone cheese — the same cheese used in tiramisu — imbibing them with a defiant silkiness. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Feb. 2024 At a time when institutions are often considered merely platforms for personal advancement, McConnell deeply imbibed the history and practices of the Senate and was protective of its norms and traditions. The Editors, National Review, 29 Feb. 2024 Liquid Refreshment for the Whiskey-Averse For those who can’t stand the taste of whiskey but still like to imbibe, Louisville is rife with top-notch breweries and cocktail bars scattered all throughout its limits. Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 Enjoy a pizza or pasta dish while vibing, instead of imbibing. Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 5 Jan. 2024 Although a bottle of wine boxed with a crystal spoon can seem like a bit of a gimmick, the viscosity makes sipping from a spoon rather than a glass a much more efficient means of imbibing with minimal loss. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 6 Feb. 2024 Another theory states it was concocted and imbibed by Spanish troops stationed in Cuba. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 24 Jan. 2024 Price at time of publish: $90 A bottle of wine is great, but what about the hostess who doesn’t imbibe? Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'imbibe.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English enbiben to absorb, cause to absorb, from Latin imbibere to drink in, absorb, from in- + bibere to drink — more at potable

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of imbibe was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near imbibe

Cite this Entry

“Imbibe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbibe. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

imbibe

verb
im·​bibe im-ˈbīb How to pronounce imbibe (audio)
imbibed; imbibing
1
: to receive into the mind and retain
imbibe knowledge
2
imbiber noun

More from Merriam-Webster on imbibe

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