intoxicant

noun

in·​tox·​i·​cant in-ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce intoxicant (audio)
: something that intoxicates
especially : an alcoholic drink
intoxicant adjective

Example Sentences

The use of intoxicants and stimulants is prohibited. He was driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Recent Examples on the Web But experts have seen wild animals consume just about everything else: swiping high-end chocolate cakes out of homes, sucking syrup from hummingbird feeders and even making off with other intoxicants, including marijuana and beer. Emily Anthes, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2023 The 2018 farm bill legalized hemp, cracking open an industry with offshoots in textile manufacturing, medicine and (albeit accidentally) intoxicants. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 29 Apr. 2023 Manzo had at least six previous felony convictions in Oregon and California dating to 2010, including for second-degree robbery, third and fourth-degree assault and driving under the influence of intoxicants. Savannaheadens, oregonlive, 21 Apr. 2023 In addition to the eight-month sentence for aggravated assault, Eaton had also been convicted of domestic violence assault and operating under the influence of intoxicants in Maine, as well as illegally possessing a gun in Florida, according to the Bangor Daily News. Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 21 Apr. 2023 Old school locations like The Bulldog have grown into multiple outlet chain businesses that offer a good intro to the etiquettes and varieties of intoxicants available for newcomers. Duncan Madden, Forbes, 19 Apr. 2023 Power is an intoxicant. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 27 Nov. 2020 Hrnčíř’s research interests include cultural evolution, prehistory, hunter-gatherers, human mobility, intoxicants and social complexity. Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2023 During his probation, he’ll be prohibited from having firearms and using intoxicants to excess, among other conditions. Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intoxicant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1757, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intoxicant was in 1757

Dictionary Entries Near intoxicant

Cite this Entry

“Intoxicant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intoxicant. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

intoxicant

noun
in·​tox·​i·​cant in-ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce intoxicant (audio)
: something that intoxicates
especially : an alcoholic drink
intoxicant adjective

Medical Definition

intoxicant

noun
in·​tox·​i·​cant in-ˈtäk-si-kənt How to pronounce intoxicant (audio)
: something that intoxicates
especially : an alcoholic drink

called also inebriant

intoxicant adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on intoxicant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!