# bourbon

/ˈbɝbən/ (US) · /bˈɜːbən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/bourbon
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. American whiskey

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a type of American whiskey made mostly from corn and aged in oak barrels.

For teachers: a whiskey distilled in the United States from a grain mash containing at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak containers.

- He ordered a glass of bourbon with a single ice cube at the bar.
- The distillery prides itself on a high-rye bourbon that offers a spicier profile than traditional wheated varieties.

Usage: Uncountable when referring to the liquid; countable when referring to a specific brand or a single serving.

### 2. royal family

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a member of a famous royal family that ruled France and Spain.

For teachers: a member of the House of Bourbon, a European royal dynasty of French origin.

- The historian gave a lecture on the fall of the Bourbons during the revolution.
- The restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in 1814 marked a complex period of political transition for the French state.

### 3. biscuit

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a popular British chocolate biscuit with chocolate cream in the middle.

For teachers: an oblong chocolate-flavoured biscuit consisting of two layers with a chocolate cream filling.

- She dipped a bourbon biscuit into her tea while she read the paper.
- The assorted biscuit tin usually contains a few bourbons, which are often the first to be eaten by the guests.

## Examples

- He ordered a glass of bourbon at the bar.
- The bartender explained that this particular bourbon has strong notes of vanilla and caramel from the oak barrels.
- While Scotch is defined by its peaty malted barley, bourbon derives its distinctively sweet profile from the high corn content and the chemical reactions occurring within charred white oak staves.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.