soda

American  

[soh-duh] / ˈsoʊ də /

noun

1. sodium hydroxide.

2. sodium monoxide.

3. sodium carbonate.

4. sodium, as in carbonate of soda.

5. soda water.

6. a drink made with soda water, flavoring, such as fruit or other syrups, and often ice cream, milk, etc.

7. soda pop.

8. (in faro) the card turned up in the dealing box before one begins to play.

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soda British  

/ ˈsəʊdə /

noun

1. any of a number of simple inorganic compounds of sodium, such as sodium carbonate ( washing soda ), sodium bicarbonate ( baking soda ), and sodium hydroxide ( caustic soda )

2. See soda water

3. a fizzy drink

4. the top card of the pack in faro

5. slang something easily done; a pushover

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Regionalisms

See soda pop.

Other Word Forms

• sodaless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of soda

1550–60; (< Italian ) < Medieval Latin < Arabic suwwādah kind of plant; compare Middle French soulde, soude

Explanation

In many parts of the U.S., soda is a sweet, fizzy drink. There are also some places where you'd call soda "pop," a "soft drink," or "Coke" instead. While you may think of soda as something you order to drink at a restaurant, soda is also used for unflavored carbonated water, or seltzer, and for baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate. There's also sodium carbonate, or "washing soda," which is an ingredient in powdered soap and used to make some types of glass. This kind of soda was originally used to carbonate water, which led to the use of soda to mean "carbonated drink."

Example Sentences

The supply crunch could lead to shortages of water and soda bottles in the U.S. in summer, when demand peaks, says Roberto Ribeiro of Chemical Market Analytics.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The first time I saw pickle lemonade on a menu at a local soda counter, I assumed it was one of those novelty tourist foods designed more for social media than actual enjoyment.

From Salon • May 28, 2026

Andrew Whelton, a Purdue University professor who studies environmental disasters, said the ruptured chemical tank would’ve acted similar to punching a hole in a soda can.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

For example, a refrigerator purchased for fresh fruits and vegetables can easily be repurposed to hold bottles of soda.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

I give him the baking soda while Siunek takes the soup.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

Related Words

• drink