mead: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Historical, Hobbyist (within brewing/renaissance communities)
Quick answer
What does “mead” mean?
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water, sometimes with added herbs or spices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water, sometimes with added herbs or spices; one of the oldest known alcoholic beverages.
Can refer to a meadow, but this is an archaic, poetic, or place-name usage distinct from the drink meaning. The primary modern meaning is the honey-based alcoholic beverage.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The 'meadow' sense is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
In both, strongly connotes historical, medieval, or fantasy settings (e.g., Viking feasts, Renaissance fairs).
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general language, but slightly more familiar in the UK due to historical presence and place names (e.g., 'Meadow' as 'Mead' in old names).
Grammar
How to Use “mead” in a Sentence
[drink/brew/serve] + mead[adj: spiced/traditional] + meadVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in niche contexts like craft beverage marketing or historical tourism.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or culinary studies papers.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be encountered in discussions about history, brewing hobbies, or at themed events.
Technical
Used in brewing terminology to specify a category of fermented beverages made primarily from honey.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mead”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mead”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mead”
- Misidentifying it as a type of beer or ale. It is wine-based (from honey). Confusing it with the entirely unrelated word 'meed' (archaic for reward).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'honey wine' is a common synonym for mead. The term 'mead' is more specific and traditional.
Yes. When spices are added, it's called 'metheglin'. When fruit is added, it's called 'melomel'. A mead with apples is a 'cyser'.
No, they come from different Old English roots. 'Mead' (drink) comes from 'medu', while 'mead' (meadow) comes from 'mǣd'. They are homographs.
Its alcohol by volume (ABV) can range widely, typically from 8% to 20%, similar to wine. It can be still or sparkling.
An alcoholic drink made from fermented honey and water, sometimes with added herbs or spices.
Mead is usually formal, literary, historical, hobbyist (within brewing/renaissance communities) in register.
Mead: in British English it is pronounced /miːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /miːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to 'mead' in modern idiom. Archaic: 'mead of poetry' (in Norse mythology).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MEAD is made from honey, and you might drink it while reading a book in a MEADow.' This links the two rare meanings.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEAD IS HISTORY / MEAD IS CELEBRATION (e.g., 'They celebrated with horns of mead').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary ingredient in traditional mead?