libation

American  

[lahy-bay-shuhn] / laɪˈbeɪ ʃən /

noun

• libations
  plural

1. a pouring out of wine or other liquid in honor of a deity.

2. the liquid poured out.

3. Often Facetious.

   1. an intoxicating beverage, as wine, especially when drunk in ceremonial or celebrative situations.

   2. an act or instance of drinking such a beverage.

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libation British  

/ laɪˈbeɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the pouring out of wine, etc, in honour of a deity

   2. the liquid so poured out

2. facetious an alcoholic drink

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• libational
  adjective
• libationary
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• libations
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of libation

1350–1400; Middle English libacio ( u ) n < Latin lībātiōn- (stem of lībātiō ) a drink offering, equivalent to lībāt ( us ) (past participle of lībāre to pour; cognate with Greek leíbein ) + -iōn- -ion

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Explanation

Certain ceremonies require dumping a little bit of liquid, usually alcohol, onto the ground. It might seem wasteful, but it’s really a powerful symbolic act called a libation — and it’s worth every drop. In ancient Greece, anyone could make a libation as a sacrifice in hopes that the gods would see it and be pleased. Today some people offer libations in memory of a loved one that has died. One sip for you, one for your homies, as the saying goes. Libation is also a joke term for an alcoholic drink, so you could make a cocktail and call it "a libation."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

libation libations

We believe that a thoughtful libation sets the tone for the meal and it’s a Southern tradition to welcome guests with a cocktail.

From Salon ● Aug. 12, 2024

Airag, a lightly alcoholic beverage made from fermented horse milk, remains a popular libation in Mongolia.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 12, 2023

As noted, this libation landed a gold medal at the inaugural High Spirits Awards, as did another flavor in the Fable stable; a blend of hibiscus, ginger and mint called Night Flight.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 3, 2023

Popular since the 1840s, root beer, which, like so many of America’s sodas, straddled the line between patent medicine and soothing nonalcoholic libation, was enjoyed as a hot beverage or as a carbonated soda.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 14, 2023

Gravely, when he had done, he made libation and took a sip of honey-hearted wine, giving the cup, then, back into the hands of the young nobleman.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

Kierstead pointed to pre-theater and lobby libations as a potential culprit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

“This year, the Arizona Bowl is bringing sports, libations, and entertainment into a singular bowl game, and we are changing the definition of what a brand partnership is in the NCAA.”

From Los Angeles Times ● May 7, 2024

While the famous make their way down the carpet, the less famous are packed into the Peacock Theater lobby for pre-show libations, AP’s Beth Harris reports.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 15, 2024

Some new research from a well known academic journal reveals that one typical ingredient in those libations could be on the way out.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 3, 2023

With my drawn blade I spaded up the votive pit, and poured libations round it to the unnumbered dead: sweet milk and honey, then sweet wine, and last clear water; and I scattered barley down.

From "The Odyssey" by Homer

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