brew

1 of 3

verb

ˈbrü 

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

: contrive

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 

ˈbru̇(-ə)r

noun

brew

2 of 3

noun (1)

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

brewer

3 of 3

noun (2)

brew·​er ˈbrü-ər 

ˈbru̇r

plural -s

1

: one that brews

especially : one that manufactures brewed beverages (such as ale or beer)

2

: a utensil or appliance used in brewing beverages

a coffee brewer

Synonyms of brew

Verb

• provoke
• raise
• ferment
• promote
• trigger

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 (1)

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

Verb

There's another controversy brewing, this one over the city's new nearly $4 billion convention center. — Nathalie Marie Palacios, CBS News, 21 June 2026

One of the most popular ways to use banana peels is to brew old peels in water to make a mild liquid fertilizer or foliar spray. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 June 2026

Noun

Beers across America for the 250th New York isn't the only place with a special brew for our national birthday to-do. — Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Go on a rail adventure with the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, hike the Allegheny Highlands Trail, and sip on a few local brews at Big Timber Brewing Company. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun (2)

Middle English, from brewen + -er

First Known Use

Verb

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

Noun (1)

circa 1510, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing brew

• cold-brew
• cold-brew coffee
• home brew
• witches' brew

Rhymes for brew

• blew
• blue
• boo
• chew
• chou
• clue
• coo
• coup
• crew
• cue
• dew
• do

Kids Definition

brew

1 of 2 verb

ˈbrü 

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 

ˈbru̇(-ə)r

noun

brew

2 of 2 noun

: a brewed beverage