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

The Amazon jet was landing after a two-hour flight from Puerto Rico as storms brewed around the Miami airport. — David Fischer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

The responses began brewing in the days leading up to the event. — E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 8 Sep. 2026

Noun

For at least two decades, thousands of Americans have been going to Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil to look for ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew traditionally used in sacred ceremonies in South America. — Pardis Mahdavi, The Conversation, 8 Sep. 2026

While serving up classic brews like lagers and New England IPAs, Transcend Beer Crafters has another, smoothie-r side to their business. — Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 7 Sep. 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

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