drinking
Americanadjective
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suitable or safe to drink.
drinking water.
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used in drinking.
a drinking glass.
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addicted to or indulging excessively in alcohol.
Is he a drinking man?
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of or relating to the act of drinking, especially the drinking of alcohol.
a drinking companion.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of drinking
A Middle English word dating back to 1125–75; see origin at drink, -ing 2, -ing 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
When his fresh water ran out on July 11, he collected drinking water by filling buckets with seawater and capturing the condensation beneath plastic bags he stretched over the buckets.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Leslie Vooris shares some recommendations for elevating your drinking experience by investing in fancy glassware.
From Slate ● Jul. 27, 2026
Surprisingly, drinking more than 3 cups per day was associated with a lower risk.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026
If you enjoyed Justice Neal Gorsuch’s opinion detailing the Founding Fathers’ drinking habits, stay tuned for the October term.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
He seized one of the drinking cups and pulled; it came away with a great clattering screech.
From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
