noun
Uncommon
beverage
BEHV-rihj
Beverage (noun) means any drink prepared for consumption, such as tea, coffee, juice, or a soft drink. Example: “The menu offers a wide range of hot and cold beverages.”
noun
1
Any drink prepared for consumption, such as tea, coffee, juice, or a soft drink.
"The menu offers a wide range of hot and cold beverages."
"Please choose a beverage to go with your meal."
"Would you like a cold beverage while you wait for your table?"
How to use beverage
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA more formal word for "drink," commonly used on menus and in official or written contexts.
When to use it
More formal than "drink"; typically appears in menus, packaging, and business writing rather than everyday speech.
Common pairings
alcoholic beverage
soft beverage
beverage industry
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Word forms
- Plural
- beverages
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The menu offers a wide range of hot and cold _____.
Etymology
From Old French bevrage, based on a verb meaning "to drink," ultimately from Latin bibere ("to drink") — the same root that gives us "imbibe."
Related words
Rhymes for beverage
See all rhymes for beverage →Frequently asked questions
What does “beverage” mean?
The word “beverage” means any drink prepared for consumption, such as tea, coffee, juice, or a soft drink. In plain terms, a more formal word for "drink," commonly used on menus and in official or written contexts.
How do you pronounce “beverage”?
“Beverage” is pronounced BEHV-rihj (/ˈbɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “beverage” in a sentence?
Here is “beverage” used in a sentence: “The menu offers a wide range of hot and cold beverages.”
What is another word for “beverage”?
Words with a similar meaning to “beverage” include beveridge, drink, libation, liquor, potable and potation.
What part of speech is “beverage”?
“Beverage” is a noun.
Where does the word “beverage” come from?
The word “beverage” comes from Latin. From Old French bevrage, based on a verb meaning "to drink," ultimately from Latin bibere ("to drink") — the same root that gives us "imbibe.".
Is “beverage” a common word?
“Beverage” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between a beverage and a drink?
Beverage and drink refer to the same basic concept, any liquid prepared for consumption, but beverage is the more formal or technical term often used in menus, industry contexts, and nutrition labeling. Drink is the everyday, informal word used in casual speech.
Does the word beverage include alcoholic drinks?
Yes, beverage is a broad term that covers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks such as tea, coffee, juice, and soft drinks. Context or a qualifying word, such as alcoholic beverage, usually clarifies which type is meant.
Why do restaurants and menus use the word beverage instead of drink?
Restaurants and formal menus often use beverage because it sounds more polished and professional in written contexts, matching the style of other menu categories like appetizer and entree. It also groups all drink options, hot or cold, alcoholic or not, under one consistent heading.
