bourbon

noun

bour·​bon ˈbu̇r-bən 

ˈbȯr-;

usually in sense 3

ˈbər- 

1

capitalized : 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 capitalized : 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 capitalized

Examples of bourbon in a Sentence

I prefer bourbon to Scotch.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Dalmore is a Highland distillery that is known for its luxury single malts that are, generally speaking, aged in bourbon barrels and then finished in sherry casks. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025

For Woodford Reserve, the partnership builds on its long-standing tradition of seasonal releases while introducing an element of fashion storytelling to the presentation of bourbon. —Renan Botelho, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

Once Hart rolls into the bar while curtain calls are happening down the block, the badmouthing begins in earnest and everything becomes marinated in bourbon and bitterness. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 15 Oct. 2025

But where is the equal fervor for the other fall flavors—maple, pecan, apple, sweet potato, caramel, toffee, bourbon, and so on? —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2025

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