soda

noun

so·​da ˈsō-də 

1

a

: sodium carbonate

b

: sodium bicarbonate

c

: sodium

—often used in combination

soda-feldspar

nitrate of soda

2

a

: soda water sense 2a

b

: soda pop

c

: a sweet drink consisting of soda water, flavoring, and often ice cream

3

: the faro card that shows faceup in the dealing box before play begins

Examples of soda in a Sentence

I ordered fries and a soda.

Recent Examples on the Web

To prepare cake, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 24 Apr. 2025

This policy targets eight food dyes including Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 — dyes commonly used in cereals, candies and sodas. —Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Drinks Synthetic dyes aren’t just found in food, but also commonly in drinks, including soda (like Fanta and Mountain Dew) and sports drinks (like Gatorade and Powerade). —Alix Martichoux, The Hill, 23 Apr. 2025

Edible use increased 43%, raising concerns about youth-friendly forms of the drug, such as cannabis chocolates, candies, sodas and desserts — the same products responsible for a growing number of child hospitalizations in the US. —Kameryn Griesser, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian, from Arabic suwwād, any of several saltworts from the ashes of which sodium carbonate is obtained

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing soda

• baking soda
• bicarbonate of soda
• caustic soda
• club soda
• cream soda
• nitrate of soda
• soda ash
• soda biscuit
• soda bread
• soda cracker
• soda fountain
• soda jerk
• soda lime
• soda pop
• soda water
• washing soda

Rhymes for soda

• coda
• oda
• toda
• copepoda
• decapoda
• gastropoda
• isopoda
• nematoda
• ostracoda
• pagoda

Kids Definition

soda

noun

so·​da ˈsōd-ə 

1

a

: sodium carbonate

b

: sodium bicarbonate

2

a

: soda water

b

: soda pop

c

: a sweet drink consisting of soda water, flavoring, and often ice cream

Medical Definition

soda

noun

so·​da ˈsōd-ə 

: sodium carbonate

also : sodium bicarbonate