: a liquid that is suitable for drinking
especially
: an alcoholic beverage
Examples of potable in a Sentence
Adjective
around here, the only potable water comes from wells
Noun
hid the potables in the back hall closet
keeps the wet bar stocked with an array of top-shelf liquors, mixers, and other fine potables
Recent Examples on the Web
Stephanie Threinen, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Private campgrounds, such as those at Arrowhead Bike Farm, and state park campgrounds, like those at Babcock State Park (20 minutes away), are better options for amenities like showers, toilets, and potable water.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025
Josef Adalian, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
Its high-end potables have since won awards in beer strongholds Germany and Belgium, and the powerhouse Carlsberg Group recently bought a minority stake.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potable
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The onsite water reuse system at the Austin Central Library is an exemplary example of this, supporting 350,000 gallons of storage for rainwater and A/C condensate collection saving a little over 1.5 million gallons per year of potable water on average.
—Stephanie Threinen, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
Private campgrounds, such as those at Arrowhead Bike Farm, and state park campgrounds, like those at Babcock State Park (20 minutes away), are better options for amenities like showers, toilets, and potable water.
—Jessie Beck, AFAR Media, 1 July 2025
Noun
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune fans might need to break out the potent potables after reading this news: The 24/7 Pluto channels devoted to both shows have quietly ended their runs on the platform.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
Its high-end potables have since won awards in beer strongholds Germany and Belgium, and the powerhouse Carlsberg Group recently bought a minority stake.
—Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potable
Cite this Entry
“Potable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potable. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
potable
1 of 2 adjective
po·ta·ble
ˈpōt-ə-bəl 
: suitable for drinking
potable water
potable
2 of 2 noun
: a liquid that is suitable for drinking
especially
: an alcoholic beverage
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share