: a liquid that is suitable for drinking
especially
: an alcoholic beverage
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
David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Reuse is reclaimed and treated, then injected into the drinking water system (called direct potable reuse, or DPR) or into a surface water source (called indirect potable reuse, or IPR).
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
Julie Belcove, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2024
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.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potable
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Adjective
And the possibility of using the direct potable reuse method has dramatically changed the situation.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025
Reuse is reclaimed and treated, then injected into the drinking water system (called direct potable reuse, or DPR) or into a surface water source (called indirect potable reuse, or IPR).
—Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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
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.
—Josef Adalian, Vulture, 2 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for potable
Cite this Entry
“Potable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/potable. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
potable
1 of 2 adjective
po·ta·ble
ˈpōt-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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