sports drink
noun
: a drink that consists mainly of water, electrolytes (such as sodium or potassium), and carbohydrates (such as sucrose or fructose) and that is designed to replenish those substances in the body during or after usually strenuous exercise
"Dan was with me the whole day," Huard said after the game, while sipping a sports drink to combat dehydration.—
Peter King
Peter KingSports drinks such as Gatorade or Powerade should generally be avoided in favor of water unless you're doing an intense workout. That's because some sports drinks contain more than 30 grams of added sugar …, and you may not need its carb- and electrolyte-heavy fuel if you're just going for a 45-minute easy ride.—Danielle Zickl
Danielle ZicklExamples of sports drink in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For activities lasting longer than 1-2 hours, or in very hot environments, sports drinks can help replenish carbohydrates and electrolytes, but be mindful of sugar content.
—Dr. Sarah Kinsella, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
In the coming months, a new version of Kraft Mac & Cheese bolstered with nutrients is rolling out to rival a fast-growing competitor; Capri Sun is cutting sugar and entering the competitive sports drinks category; and Kool-Aid is being enhanced with electrolytes to take on Liquid IV.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Most commercial sports drinks, particularly those formulated for endurance athletes, contain between 120 and 190 milligrams of sodium per eight fluid ounces.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Carter Amelia Davis, United States, 2025 A woman embarks on a road trip to deliver her creamy homemade sports drink to a mysterious online buyer.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sports drink
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Dr. Sarah Kinsella, Boston Herald, 5 Apr. 2026
In the coming months, a new version of Kraft Mac & Cheese bolstered with nutrients is rolling out to rival a fast-growing competitor; Capri Sun is cutting sugar and entering the competitive sports drinks category; and Kool-Aid is being enhanced with electrolytes to take on Liquid IV.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Most commercial sports drinks, particularly those formulated for endurance athletes, contain between 120 and 190 milligrams of sodium per eight fluid ounces.
—Brad Stulberg, Outside, 26 Mar. 2026
Carter Amelia Davis, United States, 2025 A woman embarks on a road trip to deliver her creamy homemade sports drink to a mysterious online buyer.
—William Earl, Variety, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sports drink
Cite this Entry
“Sports drink.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sports%20drink. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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