: a liquid that is suitable for drinking
especially
: an alcoholic beverage
Synonyms
Examples of potable in a Sentence
Adjective
around here, the only potable water comes from wells
Noun
hid the potables in the back hall closet
keeps the wet bar stocked with an array of top-shelf liquors, mixers, and other fine potables
Recent Examples on the Web
Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 27 Jan. 2025
An additional 284 were non-operational because of ash, debris, power outages or a lack of potable water, according the California Department of Social Services.
—
Kate Sequeira, Los Angeles Times, 25 Jan. 2025
Josef Adalian, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
Its high-end potables have since won awards in beer strongholds Germany and Belgium, and the powerhouse Carlsberg Group recently bought a minority stake.
—
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2024
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Adjective
But villagers band together to buy potable water that is trucked in each week.
—Noun
Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune fans might need to break out the potent potables after reading this news: The 24/7 Pluto channels devoted to both shows have quietly ended their runs on the platform.
—Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Late Latin potabilis, from Latin potare to drink; akin to Latin bibere to drink, Greek pinein
First Known Use
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
circa 1625, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of potable was
in the 15th century
Dictionary Entries Near potable
Cite this Entry
“Potable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potable. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
potable
adjective
po·ta·ble
?pōt-ə-bəl
: suitable for drinking
potability
noun
ˌpōt-ə-?bil-ət-ē
Medical Definition
potable
1 of 2 adjective
po·ta·ble
?pōt-ə-bəl
: suitable for drinking
potable water
potable
2 of 2 noun
: a liquid that is suitable for drinking
especially
: an alcoholic beverage
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