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

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

From Science Daily ● Dec. 12, 2023

China’s first allotment of J-Harden Wines, the libation launched by NBA star guard James Harden, sold out in a matter of seconds in a livestream on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok.

From Washington Times ● Aug. 17, 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

While the drink may veer into a bit of a sweet realm, it would certainly make a bright and festive libation to enjoy over the holidays.

From Salon ● Dec. 18, 2022

There are two great identical snakes on a Levantine libation vase of around 2000 B.C., coiled around each other in a double helix, representing the original generation of life.

From "The Lives of a Cell" by Lewis Thomas

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 8, 2026

Concertgoers at the Paramount Theater and attendees of the Northwest Folklife Festival, for example, can now order their libations in reusable polypropylene cups.

From Salon ● May 2, 2024

I begrudge no one their holiday libations or liquor-drenched desserts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 18, 2023

The drink menu includes Indian wine and beer alongside plenty of Northwest-made libations.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2023

“No, you’re not,” Philbert says quietly, staring at the libations in front of me.

From "X: A Novel" by Ilyasah Shabazz

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