beverage

American  

[bev-er-ij, bev-rij] / ˈbɛv ər ɪdʒ, ˈbɛv rɪdʒ /

noun

1. any potable liquid, especially one other than water, as tea, coffee, beer, or milk.

   The price of the meal includes a beverage.

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beverage British  

/ ˈbɛvərɪdʒ, ˈbɛvrɪdʒ /

noun

1. any drink, usually other than water

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Etymology

Origin of beverage

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French beverage, bevarage, equivalent to be ( i ) vre to drink + -age -age

Explanation

A beverage is any type of drink. It's something you might offer a guest in your house; it's also the favorite moniker of companies that manufacture both soda and juice — they call themselves beverage companies. One of the most popular beverages in history is Coca-Cola, developed in 1886. Initially, Coke was called a brain tonic for intellectuals. Ingredients of the original recipe included coca leaves and cola nuts, and until 1909 contained small amounts of cocaine. Today, the Coca Cola company markets hundreds of beverages including soft drinks, juices, and sports drinks.

Example Sentences

Molson Coors Beverage posted higher profit and sales in the first quarter, boosted by pricing and mix.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Beverage options are also “limited due to upmass constraints, which restrict how much food and drink can be carried onboard.”

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Under emergency state regulations two years ago, California banned these specific hemp products and agents with the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control seized thousands of products statewide.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 4, 2026

Sadly the adoption of plastic meant that this system was phased out, but one soft drinks producer – family-owned Twig's Beverage – has stuck to it.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

The American Beverage Association had promised to improve the clarity of its ingredient labeling.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

Related Words

• drink
• liquor