dram

1 of 4

noun (1)

plural drams
1
a(1)
: a unit of weight in the avoirdupois system equal to one sixteenth of an ounce see Weights and Measures Table
(2)
: a unit of weight in the apothecaries' system equal to one eighth of an ounce see Weights and Measures Table
b(1)
US : a unit of liquid capacity equal to ¹/₈ fluid ounce see Weights and Measures Table
(2)
British : a unit of liquid capacity equal to 0.217 cubic inches see Weights and Measures Table
2
a
: a small portion of something to drink
b
: a small amount

dram

2 of 4

noun (2)

: the basic monetary unit of Armenia see Money Table

dram

3 of 4

abbreviation

DRAM

4 of 4

noun (3)

: a type of RAM that must be continuously supplied with power and periodically rewritten in order to retain data compare sram

Did you know?

In avoirdupois weight—that is, the system of weights commonly used in North America and the United Kingdom—a dram is equal to 1/16 ounce (1.772 grams). The word dram was borrowed from the Anglo-French and Late Latin word dragme, which was originally used for a silver coin used by the ancient Greeks (now known in English as the drachma) as well as for the coin's approximate weight. In the 16th century, English speakers began also using dram for a weight of fluid measure (also called a fluid dram) equal to 1/8 fluid ounce, and more loosely for any small portion of something to drink. Dram is also used figuratively for any small amount, in much the same way as grain and ounce.

Examples of dram in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
When will someone first sip a dram of whisky from the hydrogen-powered still? IEEE Spectrum, 21 Oct. 2023 The allspice dram in particular doesn’t mess around—even a little bit brings a double-barreled blast of spice to the drink—making this drink equally suited standing around an afternoon barbeque or sitting around an evening fireplace. Jason O'Bryan, Robb Report, 21 Oct. 2023 And now there’s another reason to enjoy a peaty dram, even during a heatwave—the new Laphroaig Càirdeas 2023. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 July 2023 In a hot mug, pour 1/2 to 1 ounce of clam bouillon, 1 dram, i.e., one-eighth ounce, of liquid beef, and a half ounce of cream. David Reamer | Alaska History, Anchorage Daily News, 23 July 2023 Finished in French Cuvée casks, its potently sweet and rounded flavor evokes champagne so perfectly that this whisky lover actually prefers a dram of it to a glass of bubbly. Tony Sachs, Forbes, 17 Apr. 2023 First stop is obviously the lifelong dream of having my own dram. Caroline Hallemann, Town & Country, 20 June 2023 Come for a tour of the facility and master distiller Shane Fraser, a Scotsman who previously worked at Oban, Glenfarclas, and Wolfburn, will show you how things work before directing you to the adjacent bar for a cocktail or a dram. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 19 June 2023 But this savory and generous dram is about more than just that telltale note, and the hints of honey, spice, chocolate, and cedar lend even greater complexity to this already delicious whisky. Brian Freedman, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dram.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English dragme, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French, dram, drachma, from Late Latin dragma, from Latin drachma, from Greek drachmē, literally, handful, from drassesthai to grasp

Noun (2)

Armenian, literally, coin, money, ultimately from Greek drachmē drachma

Noun (3)

dynamic + RAM (random-access memory)

First Known Use

Noun (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(2)

Noun (2)

1993, in the meaning defined above

Noun (3)

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dram was in the 15th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near dram

Cite this Entry

“Dram.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dram. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

dram

noun
ˈdram
: a unit of liquid capacity equal to ⅛ fluid ounce see measure

Medical Definition

dram

noun
variants also drachm
1
: either of two units of weight:
a
: an avoirdupois unit equal to 1.772 grams or 27.344 grains
b
: a unit of apothecaries' weight equal to 3.888 grams or 60 grains
2

More from Merriam-Webster on dram

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!