binge drinking
noun
: an act or pattern of excessive consumption of alcohol
The reality is, however, that college drinking, especially binge drinking—defined as five or more drinks in a sitting for men and four for women—is a serious, and sometimes fatal, problem.—
Maria Caliri
Maria CaliriThe contentious tax on alcopops has failed to influence teenage drinkers and done nothing to curb binge drinking, according to the first survey of underage alcohol use since the federal government introduced the excise hike.—Melissa Fyfe
Melissa FyfeThe Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project has developed strategies to reduce binge drinking by identifying bars that routinely over-serve customers, as well as community festivals that overemphasize drinking.—Chris Hubbuch
—often hyphenated when used before another nounChris Hubbucha binge-drinking problem
binge drink
intransitive verb
binge drank; binge drank also binge drunk; binge drinking; binge drinks
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 6 U.S. adults binge drinks, with 25% doing so at least weekly.
—Annika Olson
Annika Olson
binge drinker
noun
plural binge drinkers
Respondents who report consuming five or more drinks on at least one occasion during the past month are considered binge drinkers and are at the highest risk for alcohol-related problems.
—Paula Mergenhagen
Paula Mergenhagen
Examples of binge drinking in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That's a stark contrast to Gen Z, who have shifted away from binge drinking and more towards wellness.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
People who engage in binge drinking are at higher risk from injuries such as car accidents and falls.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
The state's healthiest county was also generally on par with the state in some factors like excessive drinking (19% of adults binge drinking) and people without health insurance (11%).
—Alex Golden, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
Image Spring break was once the domain of college students and has been notorious for binge drinking, debauchery, stomach pumping and, sometimes, horrific accidents.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for binge drinking
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.
Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
People who engage in binge drinking are at higher risk from injuries such as car accidents and falls.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
The state's healthiest county was also generally on par with the state in some factors like excessive drinking (19% of adults binge drinking) and people without health insurance (11%).
—Alex Golden, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025
Image Spring break was once the domain of college students and has been notorious for binge drinking, debauchery, stomach pumping and, sometimes, horrific accidents.
—Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for binge drinking
Cite this Entry
“Binge drinking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binge%20drinking. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share