root beer

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ˈroot ˌbeer, n. [countable]

1. a carbonated beverage flavored with extracts of roots, barks, and herbs.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

root′ beer′, 

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.

• 1835–45, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

root beer noun

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