beer

¹ American  

[beer] / bɪər /

noun

1. an alcoholic beverage made by brewing and fermentation from cereals, usually malted barley, and flavored with hops and the like for a slightly bitter taste.

2. any of various beverages, whether alcoholic or not, made from roots, molasses or sugar, yeast, etc..

   root beer; ginger beer.

3. an individual serving of beer; a glass, can, or bottle of beer.

   We'll have three beers.

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Beer ² American  

[beer] / bɪər /

noun

1. Thomas, 1889–1940, U.S. author.

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beer British  

/ bɪə /

noun

1. an alcoholic drink brewed from malt, sugar, hops, and water and fermented with yeast Compare ale

2. a slightly fermented drink made from the roots or leaves of certain plants

   ginger beer

   nettle beer

3. (modifier) relating to or used in the drinking of beer

   beer glass

   beer mat

4. (modifier) in which beer is drunk, esp (of licensed premises) having a licence to sell beer

   beer house

   beer cellar

   beer garden

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Etymology

Origin of beer

First recorded before 1000; Middle English bere, Old English bēor; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German bior, Middle Low German, Middle Dutch bēr, Dutch, German Bier ( Old Norse bjōrr, probably from Old English); further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

A breach of Japanese beer giant Asahi forced the company back to pen and paper to cope, while the fashion house behind Gucci and Balenciaga was also targeted in September.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The price of everything from Korean electronic goods to Indian beer cans may also get a jolt.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

So, next time you’re back home, we’ll shoot a scene with you, as you normally are — in a robe, drinking a beer, kind of walking around outside.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

‘This guy has no manners’: My Airbnb guest requested I buy bacon and beer.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 23, 2026

The sleepy waitress was serving both beer and coffee.

From "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers