proof spirit

noun

: an alcoholic liquor or mixture of ethanol and water that contains 50 percent ethanol by volume at 60°F (16°C)

Examples of proof spirit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That matters more than ever as nonalcoholic cocktails move beyond juice blends and into zero-proof spirits that cost enough to feel like an indulgence. — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 It’s been two years since Iowa’s Templeton Rye released a barrel-strength whiskey, and this year this high-proof spirit has returned with a bang. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 Oct. 2022 During the process of making vanilla extract, opened vanilla bean pods soak in a liquid (often a high-proof spirit like vodka or bourbon) to infuse it with vanilla flavor and aroma. — Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2025 Bars and restaurants are stocking more non-alcoholic options than ever, and knowing which zero proof spirits to ask for can turn a flat mocktail into something that actually drinks like the real thing. — Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for proof spirit

Word History

First Known Use

1703, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proof spirit was in 1703

Browse Nearby Words

proofroom
proof spirit
proof stress
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Cite this Entry

“Proof spirit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proof%20spirit. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

proof spirit

noun
ˈprüf- How to pronounce proof spirit (audio)
1
: an alcoholic liquor or mixture of alcohol and water containing 50 percent ethanol by volume at 60° F (15.6°C)
2
British : liquor that weighs ¹²/₁₃ of an equal measure of distilled water or contains 57.10 percent by volume of alcohol
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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