ENGLISH
REFERENCE

brewing

n. · v.
US //ˈbɹuɪŋ// UK //bɹˈuːɪŋ// brew·ing
  1. 1 a storm or trouble starting (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    the start of a storm or a difficult situation.

    the gathering or development of a storm, or metaphorically, the onset of a conflict or crisis.

    Example

    The dark clouds suggested a storm was brewing over the mountains.

    Example

    There was a political crisis brewing in the capital, though the public remained largely unaware of the tension between the ministers.
  2. 2 preparing a drink (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    making a drink like tea or coffee by letting it sit in hot water.

    the act of preparing a beverage by infusion or decoction. This present participle form often describes the active state of preparation.

    Example

    I could smell fresh coffee brewing in the kitchen when I woke up.

    Example

    While the tea was brewing, she prepared the tray with lemon slices and honey for her guests.
    • steeping
    • infusing
Origin

From Middle English brewynge; equivalent to brew + -ing.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026