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soda

n.
US //ˈsoʊdə// UK //sˈəʊdɐ// so·da
  1. 1 sweet fizzy drink (n.)
    A2 Elementary American English

    a sweet, cold drink with bubbles.

    a sweetened, carbonated soft drink.

    Example

    He bought a grape soda and a bag of chips at the corner store.

    Example

    The vending machine offered a wide variety of sodas, though most students preferred the low-sugar alternatives.

    Usage

    In the United States, this term is regional; 'pop' is common in the Midwest, while 'soda' dominates the Northeast and West Coast.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners should be aware that 'soda' is the standard term in many parts of the US, but 'fizzy drink' is more common in the UK.
  2. 2 carbonated water (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    water with bubbles in it, often used to mix with other drinks.

    plain water impregnated with carbon dioxide, typically used as a mixer for alcoholic beverages or fruit juices.

    Example

    She ordered a tall glass of lime juice and soda with plenty of ice.

    Example

    The bartender added a splash of soda to the cocktail to give it a refreshing effervescence without altering the flavour profile.
    • club soda
    • sparkling water
    • seltzer
    • still water
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  1. 3 chemical compound (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    a white powder used in cooking or cleaning, like baking soda.

    any of various sodium compounds, particularly sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate.

    Example

    The recipe calls for a teaspoon of baking soda to help the cake rise.

    Example

    Industrial applications of caustic soda range from paper manufacturing to the production of various cleaning agents.
    • sodium bicarbonate
    • baking soda
Origin

From Italian soda. Sense 4 is an ellipsis of soda water.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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