brew

1 of 2

verb

brewed; brewing; brews

transitive verb

1
: to prepare (beer, ale, etc.) by steeping, boiling, and fermentation or by infusion and fermentation
2
a
: to bring about : foment
brew trouble
b
3
: to prepare (a drink or other liquid) by infusion in hot water
brew tea

intransitive verb

1
: to brew beer or ale
2
: to be in the process of forming
a storm is brewing
brewer
ˈbrü-ər How to pronounce brew (audio)
ˈbru̇(-ə)r
noun

brew

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: a brewed beverage (such as beer)
b
: a serving of a brewed beverage
quaff a few brews
c
: something produced by or as if by brewing
2
: the process of brewing

Examples of brew in a Sentence

Verb They brew the beer on the premises. The restaurant also brews its own ginger ale and root beer. They've been brewing in the new brewery since March. I'll brew another pot of tea. It feels like there's a storm brewing. Noun I'll buy you a brew. a manufacturer of specialty brews a perfect cup of brew time for a quick brew
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Mountain Chai syrup** Glass: Old Fashioned Garnish: Orange peel Directions: Stir in glass and serve with a large cube in a double Old Fashioned glass with an orange peel **Mountain Chai syrup 8oz (by volume) strong brewed Two Leaves Mountain Chai Tea (1 bag to 4oz water). Emily Price, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024 Its Cold Brew Maker uses a trusty ol’ 2-quart mason jar and stainless steel filter basket to brew. Matthew Korfhage, WIRED, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
These aren’t exactly like the cold brew concentrates that are increasingly popular in grocery stores. Andrew Watman, WIRED, 5 Dec. 2024 The cold brew is made with a brown-sugar cookie flavor. Raven Brunner, People.com, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for brew 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English brēowan; akin to Latin fervēre to boil — more at barm

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of brew was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near brew

Cite this Entry

“Brew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/brew. Accessed 11 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

brew

1 of 2 verb
1
: to make (as beer or ale) from water, malt, and hops
2
: to try to bring about : plot, plan
brew mischief
3
: to prepare (as tea) by soaking in hot water
4
: to start to form
a storm is brewing
brewer
ˈbrü-ər How to pronounce brew (audio)
ˈbru̇(-ə)r
noun

brew

2 of 2 noun
: a brewed beverage

More from Merriam-Webster on brew

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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