drinking game

noun

: a game in which players drink alcohol when particular conditions are met

Drinking games have always been a way to break the ice. They weren't all that popular in my circle of friends, but I do remember occasional games of Beer-Pong, in which cups of beer are placed on a Ping-Pong table where they serve as both obstacles and receptacles: land a shot in one and your opponent has to chug the contents.

—Barrett Seaman

… a drinking game designed to get you soused as quickly as possible. … You fill a plastic cup with two or three inches of beer, down it, and then flip the cup over so it lands perfectly upside-down. First team of four to do this in succession wins.

—Annie Fischer

Examples of drinking game in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yes, Nick’s has its own drinking game. —The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2025

Yoo’s book features a selection of drinking games, recipes and even mentions a favorite Korean drama. —Joan MacDonald, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Each episode is a drinking game based around a salacious story from each participant’s past. —Kambole Campbell, Vulture, 18 Aug. 2025

With those under age 18 banned, the mind-space on board is adult fun in many forms such as drinking games at the Korean BBQ, steamy gyrations in 1980s-style fitness classes, and some of the best outdoor parties at sea. —Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for drinking game

• aspartame
• counterclaim
• overcame
• underframe
• username
• acclaim
• aflame
• airframe
• ballgame
• became
• declaim
• defame