bourbon

noun

bour·​bon ˈbu̇r-bən 

ˈbȯr-;

usually

ˈbər- 

in sense 3

1

Bourbon : a member of a French family founded in 1272 to which belong the rulers of France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830, of Spain from 1700 to 1808, from 1814 to 1868, from 1875 to 1931, and from 1975, of Naples from 1735 to 1805, and of the Two Sicilies from 1815 to 1860

2

: a rose (Rosa borboniana) of upright growth with shining leaves, prickly branches, and clustered large flowers

3

: a whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 51 percent corn plus malt and rye compare corn whiskey

4

often Bourbon : a person who clings obstinately to old social and political ideas

specifically : an extremely conservative member of the U.S. Democratic party usually from the South

bourbonism

ˈbu̇r-bə-ˌni-zəm 

ˈbȯr-

noun

often Bourbonism

Examples of bourbon in a Sentence

I prefer bourbon to Scotch.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maple and bourbon are a perfect flavor pairing, especially when used to glaze ham. —Josh Miller, Southern Living, 5 Mar. 2026

The first Derby bottle came out in 1999, the same year Woodford became the official bourbon, and for the first few years the design was pretty simple. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2026

Minibars feature a custom bourbon blend from local distillery Jacob Rieger & Company, a thoughtful touch that roots the experience in Missouri. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026

American whiskey, which includes bourbon, saw global exports decrease by 13% through mid-year 2025, reflecting a loss of $40.5 million in the second quarter, according to the DISCUS report. —Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 20 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

(sense 1) after the lordship of Bourbon in central France, where the family originated; (sense 2) after French rose de Bourbon, after the Île Bourbon (now réunion), where the rose likely originated; (sense 3) probably after Bourbon County, Kentucky, or its pre-statehood predecessor, a county of Virginia that included much of northeastern Kentucky; (sense 4) after the association of the Bourbon dynasty with conservative royalist politics in France

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for bourbon

• turban
• interurban
• suburban

Biographical Definition

Bourbon

biographical name

Bour·​bon ˈbu̇r-bən 

bu̇r-ˈbōⁿ

Charles de 1490–1527 Duc de Bourbon French general; constable of France