drinking
Americanadjective
-
suitable or safe to drink.
drinking water.
-
used in drinking.
a drinking glass.
-
addicted to or indulging excessively in alcohol.
Is he a drinking man?
-
of or relating to the act of drinking, especially the drinking of alcohol.
a drinking companion.
noun
Other Word Forms
- undrinking adjective
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.
Los Angeles officials announced a $40-million project at the park this week that’s aimed at turning rainstorm runoff into drinking water — and maybe improve the park’s tarnished reputation as well.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026
Afterward, thousands of giddy fans thronged the malecón, Havana’s seaside promenade, laughing and drinking rum.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
The findings highlight moringa as a promising, more sustainable option for reducing microplastics in drinking water, especially in smaller communities where cost and accessibility are key concerns.
From Science Daily • Apr. 20, 2026
“This is a thinking man or woman’s cruise, not a drinking man’s,” Hagen, who is also Viking’s chairman, speaking aboard Octanis.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
In the coming months, much of their drinking water would be lost to evaporation.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
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.
