root beer

noun

: a sweetened, usually carbonated, brown beverage flavored with extracts of roots (such as sarsaparilla or sassafras) and herbs (such as wintergreen) or with artificial flavorings

Examples of root beer in a Sentence

a bottle of root beer

Recent Examples on the Web

For dessert, there are seasonal pies sold whole or by the slice and homemade bread pudding, a root beer float and a berry cobbler with two scoops of ice cream. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 24 July 2026

This international fast-food chain offers a wide range of menu items at fairly good prices plus a nostalgic root beer float. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 July 2026

On the finish, notes of warming oak with tannins to spare, devil’s food cake, root beer, demerara syrup, black cherry, vanilla, espresso grounds and clove. — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Also check out their flip side float, a boozy take on a root beer flip. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 21 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for root beer

• adhere
• ameer
• amir
• appear
• arrear
• astir
• austere
• career
• cashier
• cohere
• compere
• emir

Kids Definition

root beer

noun

: a sweet carbonated drink flavored with extracts of roots and herbs