sports drink

noun

: a drink that consists mainly of water, electrolytes (such as sodium or potassium), and carbohydrates (such as sucrose or fructose) and that is designed to replenish those substances in the body during or after usually strenuous exercise

"Dan was with me the whole day," Huard said after the game, while sipping a sports drink to combat dehydration.

—Peter King

Sports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade should generally be avoided in favor of water unless you're doing an intense workout. That's because some sports drinks contain more than 30 grams of added sugar …, and you may not need its carb- and electrolyte-heavy fuel if you're just going for a 45-minute easy ride.

—Danielle Zickl

Examples of sports drink in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Also, drink cool, non-alcoholic beverages like water or sports drinks with electrolytes. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

However, studies comparing coconut water to plain water or sports drinks for hydration are limited.16 Electrolyte powders: Electrolyte powders often contain more sodium and potassium but less sugar than sports drinks. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 1 July 2025

Drink sports drinks during and after strenuous workouts. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 30 June 2025

Cut back on sodas, juices or sports drinks that might contain them, as well. —Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1967, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sports drink

• bethink
• downlink
• groupthink
• hoodwink
• rethink
• uplink
• blink
• brink
• chink
• cinque
• clink
• dink