root beer

American  

noun

1. a carbonated beverage flavored with syrup made from the extracted juices of roots, barks, and herbs that have been fermented with sugar and yeast.

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root beer British  

noun

1. an effervescent drink made from extracts of various roots and herbs

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Etymology

Origin of root beer

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Compare meaning

How does root-beer compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• birch beer vs. root beer

Example Sentences

Twig's also makes its own-name range of fruit sodas, from root beer to black cherry, and orange to lime.

From BBC • Feb. 25, 2026

Stories involving a sitar, a surfboard, several root beer floats and a bride-to-be.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

Inside, customers sipped root beer flats and ate cheeseburgers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 25, 2025

It’s an open question as to why sassafras root came to replace sarsaparilla in most root beer recipes, but it might have to do with sarsaparilla’s strong, somewhat bitter flavor profile.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 14, 2023

There were only a few calls for R. C. Colas, Dr Peppers, and Hires root beer.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou