drinking age
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The legal age at which a person is permitted to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages: "drinking age" refers to the minimum age established by law for the legal consumption of alcohol.
Usage
- The term "drinking age" is used to discuss legal regulations, public policy, and social norms concerning alcohol consumption.
- It is typically modified by a country or region (e.g., "the U.S. drinking age") or used in comparisons (e.g., "lower the drinking age").
Examples
- Noun:
- The drinking age in this country is 21.
- There is ongoing debate about whether the drinking age should be lowered to 18.
- He was carded at the bar because he looked younger than the legal drinking age.
Advanced Usage
- "to be under the drinking age": to be younger than the legally permitted age for alcohol consumption.
- She was denied entry to the club because she was under the drinking age.
- "to reach the drinking age": to attain the legal age for drinking.
- He celebrated his birthday by going to a pub, as he had finally reached the drinking age.
Variants and Related Words
- Legal age (n): the age at which a person gains full legal rights and responsibilities, which may or may not coincide with the drinking age.
- The legal age for signing a contract is 18.
- Age limit (n): a restriction based on age.
- The amusement ride has a height requirement and an age limit.
Synonyms
- Legal drinking age: the formal, full term.
- Minimum age for alcohol consumption: a descriptive synonym.
Related Phrases
- ID check (n): the act of verifying a person's age, often related to enforcing the drinking age.
- The store is strict and performs an ID check on anyone who looks young.
- Underage drinking (n): the consumption of alcohol by individuals below the legal drinking age.
- The school has programs to educate students about the dangers of underage drinking.
Noun
- the age at which is legal for a person to buy alcoholic beverages