1
Bourbon
: a member of a French family founded in 1272 to which belong the rulers of France from 1589 to 1793 and from 1814 to 1830, of Spain from 1700 to 1808, from 1814 to 1868, from 1875 to 1931, and from 1975, of Naples from 1735 to 1805, and of the Two Sicilies from 1815 to 1860
2
: a rose (Rosa borboniana) of upright growth with shining leaves, prickly branches, and clustered large flowers
3
: a whiskey distilled from a mash made up of not less than 51 percent corn plus malt and rye compare corn whiskey
4
or Bourbon
: a person who clings obstinately to old social and political ideas
specifically
: an extremely conservative member of the U.S. Democratic party usually from the South
Cite this Entry
“Bourbon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bourbon. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
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