beer

noun

ˈbir 

1

: a carbonated, fermented alcoholic beverage that is usually made from malted cereal grain (especially barley), is flavored with hops, and typically contains less than a 5% alcohol content compare ale, craft beer, lager entry 1, malt liquor sense 2

2

: a carbonated nonalcoholic or a fermented slightly alcoholic beverage with flavoring from roots or other plant parts

birch beer

3

: fermented mash

4

: a drink of beer

Examples of beer in a Sentence

Would you like beer with dinner?

The pub brews its own beer.

I'll have a beer, please.

a couple of cold beers

a glass of birch beer

Recent Examples on the Web

Other items at risk: cherries, cocoa, sugar, imported wine, beer and hard liquor. —Ramishah Maruf, CNN, 3 Oct. 2024

The law provides exemption for eggs, beer and other malt beverages. —Ryan Hogg, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2024

Wine, beer and spirits imported from Europe, South America or the Caribbean may take a hit. Bananas: About 75% of the nation’s bananas enter through East Coast and Gulf Coast ports, said Jason Miller, interim chair of Michigan State University's department of supply chain management. —Reia Li, The Arizona Republic, 2 Oct. 2024

Among the highlights of the Villas are: All-New Villas Concierge Lounge Continental breakfast; Grab-and-go snacks and fountain drinks; Evening hors d’oeuvres with beer and wine plus desserts prepared by the Hotel’s expert culinary team; Exclusive Hershey character appearances and s’mores roasts. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ber, going back to Old English bēor, akin to Old High German bior "beer," Old Norse bjórr; perhaps all going back to a dissimilated form of Germanic *breura-, a nominal derivative of *brewwan- "to brew entry 1"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing beer

• beer and skittles
• beer belly
• beer goggles
• beer gut
• beer mat
• beer pong
• craft beer
• ginger beer
• lager beer
• near beer
• root beer
• small beer
• spruce beer

Kids Definition

beer

noun

ˈbi(ə)r 

1

: an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavored with hops

2

: a nonalcoholic drink made from roots or other parts of plants

birch beer