cider

American  

[sahy-der] / ˈsaɪ dər /

British, cyder

noun

1. the juice pressed from apples (or formerly from some other fruit) used for drinking, either before fermentation sweet cider or after fermentation hard cider, or for making applejack, vinegar, etc.

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cider British  

/ ˈsaɪdə /

noun

1. Also called (US): hard cider.  an alcoholic drink made from the fermented juice of apples

2. Also called: sweet cider.  an unfermented drink made from apple juice

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Other Word Forms

• ciderish adjective
• ciderlike adjective

Etymology

Origin of cider

1250–1300; Middle English sidre < Middle French < Old French si ( s ) dre < Late Latin sīcera strong drink < Septuagint Greek sī́kera < Hebrew shēkhār (Levit. 10:9); replacing Middle English sithere < Old French sidre

Example Sentences

Mahan recalled growing up in Watsonville, an agricultural community that is the home of Driscoll’s berries and Martinelli’s apple cider.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

According to Alpha News, the syringe allegedly used in the attack by the suspect, Anthony Kazmierczak, was filled with apple cider vinegar.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

In fact, the beloved cider has taken home the top prize more than five times, officially making it a Hall of Fame product.

From Salon • Jan. 28, 2026

Nursing a cider at Highland Park Bowl, Maris recalled the late nights she used to spend with Maddux, debriefing her shows over McDonald’s.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

There was a tall bonfire in the middle of town, and smaller ones outside the houses where people would be giving cider to the weary workers.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss