whiskey

1 of 2

noun

whis·​key ˈ(h)wi-skē How to pronounce whiskey (audio)
variants or whisky
plural whiskeys or whiskies
1
: a liquor distilled from fermented wort (such as that obtained from rye, corn, or barley mash)
2
: a drink of whiskey

Whiskey

2 of 2

communications code word

used as a code word for the letter w

Examples of whiskey in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There are some key requirements for a whiskey to be called Irish whiskey. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Mar. 2024 Prince William got behind the bar, doing a toast and taking a shot a whiskey with McElhenney and the Turf's owner, Wayne Jones. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 An ice cream and whiskey collaboration has proved so popular that it’s returned for a fourth year in a row. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 So, without further ado, here are our best whiskey cocktails for your sipping pleasure. Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 21 Feb. 2024 Harris Reed, who has unofficially claimed the opening spot on the schedule, served whiskey cocktails to a growing crowd of fans within the hallowed halls of the Tate Britain. Fiona Sinclair Scott, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Happy 15th anniversary to Catoctin Creek, the Purcellville whiskey distillery whose distinctive, spice-forward ryes have become fixtures at cocktail bars around the region and beyond. Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 15 Feb. 2024 Besides a selection of classic and new American whiskeys, bartenders will serve a range of signature cocktails (and mocktails, including the Sir Charles Frosty Blue, a non-alcoholic concoction of grapefruit soda, Seedlip Spice 94, salt, and lime). Chris Dong, Travel + Leisure, 14 Feb. 2024 Many of the sport’s first stars cut their teeth illegally hauling moonshine, and there’s a whiskey still immortalized in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'whiskey.' 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

Noun

Irish uisce beatha & Scottish Gaelic uisge beatha, literally, water of life

First Known Use

Noun

1715, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Communications Code Word

1952, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of whiskey was in 1715

Dictionary Entries Near whiskey

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

whiskey

noun
whis·​key
variants or whisky
ˈhwis-kē How to pronounce whiskey (audio)
ˈwis-
plural whiskeys or whiskies
: an alcoholic liquor made from grain (as rye, corn, or barley)
Etymology

Noun

from uisce beatha, a phrase in Irish (the ancient language of Ireland) and isuge beatha, a phrase in Scottish Gaelic (the ancient language of Scotland), both meaning literally "water of life"

Medical Definition

whiskey

noun
whis·​key
variants or whisky
plural whiskeys or whiskies
: a liquor that is distilled from the fermented mash of grain (as rye, corn, or barley) and was formerly used medicinally as a sedative and vasodilator

More from Merriam-Webster on whiskey

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