drinking
Americanadjective
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suitable or safe to drink.
drinking water.
-
used in drinking.
a drinking glass.
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addicted to or indulging excessively in alcohol.
Is he a drinking man?
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of or relating to the act of drinking, especially the drinking of alcohol.
a drinking companion.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of drinking
A Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at drink, -ing 2, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She noted that since 2012 California has declared access to clean, accessible and affordable drinking water a human right.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 10, 2026
The answer may depend on what the Supreme Court thinks about the drinking habits of the Founding Fathers.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
“People eating and drinking us more is the first step to value share,” the CFO, who joined Nestlé from the London Stock Exchange in March 2024, tells Barron’s.
From Barron's • Jun. 10, 2026
The Fukushima mayor said officials also saw the bear drinking water from a tap, adding it may have turned the handle itself, and describing it as being "extremely intelligent."
From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026
A moment later, Len, the man from the party who was drinking far too much tonic, walks in behind us fully suited up as well.
From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
