brew

1 of 2

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 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

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

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

Early summer tracking indicated there was a fever brewing. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 31 May 2026

If a trip is brewing, confirm rides and documents, while saying no to extras that derail timelines. —Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 30 May 2026

Noun

Stretch or do a short plank while your coffee brews. —Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 1 June 2026

Mathieu Lewis-Rolland / Getty Images The tank was designed to hold 900,000 gallons of a hazardous chemical known as white liquor, a chemical brew that contains sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfide and disodium carbonate and is used in the paper-pulping process, officials have said. —Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 31 May 2026

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

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