Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

balche

noun
bal·​che
variants: or less commonly balché \ (ˈ)bäl¦chā \
plural -s

Definition of balche

: a fermented drink prepared by the natives of Yucatan from the bark of a tree of the genus Lonchocarpus and honey

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of balche

1941, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for balche

American Spanish balché, from Maya

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about balche

Statistics for balche

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for balche

The first known use of balche was in 1941

See more words from the same year

Comments on balche

What made you want to look up balche? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

cogent

Listen to the pronounciation of cogent

appealing forcibly to the mind or reason

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games