Swallow vs. Drink: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Aimie Carlson || Updated on May 22, 2024
Swallow refers to the act of passing food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach, while drink involves consuming liquids through the mouth.
Key Differences
Swallow is the action of moving food or liquid from the mouth through the throat to the stomach. It is a specific phase in the process of eating or drinking, involving a series of coordinated muscle movements. Drink, on the other hand, refers to the act of consuming liquids. Drinking encompasses the entire process from bringing a liquid to the mouth, tasting, and then swallowing it.
Swallow is a biological process necessary for moving any ingested substance from the mouth to the digestive tract. It includes complex reflexes and voluntary muscle control. Drink, however, is a broader term that describes the intake of liquids. For instance, one can drink water, juice, or any beverage, which inherently includes swallowing as part of the process.
In the context of medication, swallow refers specifically to the act of taking pills or liquid medicine from the mouth to the stomach. Drinking, in this context, might involve taking a liquid medicine or consuming water to help swallow pills. Both terms are related but describe different scopes of actions.
In social contexts, drink often refers to consuming beverages, especially alcoholic ones, and can imply social activities or rituals. Swallow, however, remains a neutral term focusing purely on the physiological action without any social connotations.
Swallow is a specific act within the broader process of ingesting substances, drink refers to the broader act of consuming liquids.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Moving food/liquid from mouth to stomach
Consuming liquids through the mouth
Scope
Specific phase in eating/drinking
Broader act of liquid consumption
Biological Process
Involves muscle movements and reflexes
Encompasses bringing liquid to mouth and swallowing
Context in Medication
Taking pills or liquid medicine
Consuming liquid medicine or water
Social Connotation
Neutral, purely physiological
Often implies social activity (e.g., drinking socially)
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Swallow and Drink Definitions
Swallow
Perform the reflexive action to move ingested items.
She took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in her throat.
Drink
Participate in social drinking.
They decided to drink wine with their dinner.
Swallow
Move food down the esophagus.
After chewing, he swallowed the piece of bread.
Drink
To take into the mouth and swallow (a liquid).
Swallow
To cause (food or drink, for example) to pass through the mouth and throat into the stomach.
Drink
To swallow the liquid contents of (a vessel)
Drank a cup of tea.
Swallow
To put up with (something unpleasant)
Swallowed the insults and kept on working.
Drink
To take in or soak up; absorb
Drank the fresh air.
Spongy earth that drank up the rain.
Swallow
To refrain from expressing; suppress
Swallow one's feelings.
Drink
To take in eagerly through the senses or intellect
Drank in the beauty of the day.
Swallow
To envelop or engulf
A building that was swallowed up by fire.
Drink
To give or make (a toast).
Swallow
To consume or use up
Relief money that was swallowed by administrative costs.
Drink
To toast (a person or an occasion, for example)
We'll drink your health.
Swallow
(Slang) To believe without question
Swallowed the alibi.
Drink
To bring to a specific state by drinking alcoholic beverages
Drank our sorrows away.
Swallow
To take back; retract
Swallow one's words.
Drink
To swallow liquid
Drank noisily.
Drink from a goblet.
Swallow
To say inarticulately; mumble
The actor swallowed his lines.
Drink
To drink alcoholic beverages
They only drink socially.
Swallow
To perform the act of swallowing.
Drink
To salute a person or an occasion with a toast
We will drink to your continued success.
Swallow
The act of swallowing.
Drink
A liquid that is fit for drinking; a beverage.
Swallow
An amount swallowed.
Drink
An alcoholic beverage, such as a cocktail or beer.
Swallow
(Nautical) The channel through which a rope runs in a block or a mooring chock.
Drink
Chiefly Southern US See soft drink. tonic
Swallow
Any of various small graceful swift-flying passerine birds of the family Hirundinidae, having long pointed wings, a usually notched or forked tail, and a large mouth for catching flying insects.
Drink
An amount of liquid swallowed
Took a long drink from the fountain.
Swallow
Any of various similar birds, such as a swift.
Drink
Liquid for drinking
The host provided food and drink.
Swallow
(transitive) To cause (food, drink etc.) to pass from the mouth into the stomach; to take into the stomach through the throat.
Drink
Excessive or habitual indulgence in alcoholic liquor.
Swallow
(transitive) To take (something) in so that it disappears; to consume, absorb.
Drink
(Slang) A body of water; the sea
The hatch cover slid off the boat and into the drink.
Swallow
(intransitive) To take food down into the stomach; to make the muscular contractions of the oesophagus to achieve this, often taken as a sign of nervousness or strong emotion.
My throat was so sore that I was unable to swallow.
Drink
(ambitransitive) To consume (a liquid) through the mouth.
He drank the water I gave him.
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink.
Swallow
(transitive) To accept easily or without questions; to believe, accept.
Drink
To consume the liquid contained within (a bottle, glass, etc.).
Jack drank the whole bottle by himself.
Swallow
(intransitive) To engross; to appropriate; usually with up.
Drink
(intransitive) To consume alcoholic beverages.
You've been drinking, haven't you?
No thanks, I don't drink.
Everyone who is drinking is drinking, but not everyone who is drinking is drinking.
Swallow
(transitive) To retract; to recant.
To swallow one's opinions
Drink
(transitive) To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
Swallow
(transitive) To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation.
To swallow an affront or insult
Drink
(transitive) To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
Swallow
(archaic) A deep chasm or abyss in the earth.
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
Swallow
(archaic) The mouth and throat; that which is used for swallowing; the gullet.
Drink
A beverage.
I’d like another drink please.
Swallow
The amount swallowed in one gulp; the act of swallowing.
He took the aspirin with a single swallow of water.
Drink
(uncountable) Drinks in general; something to drink
Swallow
(nautical) The opening in a pulley block between the sheave and shell through which the rope passes.
Drink
A type of beverage (usually mixed).
My favourite drink is the White Russian.
Swallow
(Nigeria) Any of various carbohydrate-based dishes that are swallowed without much chewing.
Drink
A (served) alcoholic beverage.
Can I buy you a drink?
Swallow
A small, migratory bird of the Hirundinidae family with long, pointed, moon-shaped wings and a forked tail which feeds on the wing by catching insects.
Drink
The action of drinking, especially with the verbs take or have.
He was about to take a drink from his root beer.
Swallow
Any one of numerous species of passerine birds of the family Hirundinidæ, especially one of those species in which the tail is deeply forked. They have long, pointed wings, and are noted for the swiftness and gracefulness of their flight.
Drink
Alcoholic beverages in general.
Swallow
Any one of numerous species of swifts which resemble the true swallows in form and habits, as the common American chimney swallow, or swift.
Drink
Any body of water.
If he doesn't pay off the mafia, he’ll wear cement shoes to the bottom of the drink!
Swallow
The aperture in a block through which the rope reeves.
Drink
To swallow anything liquid, for quenching thirst or other purpose; to imbibe; to receive or partake of, as if in satisfaction of thirst; as, to drink from a spring.
Gird thyself, and serve me, till have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink.
He shall drink of the wrath the Almighty.
Drink of the cup that can not cloy.
Swallow
The act of swallowing.
Drink
To quaff exhilarating or intoxicating liquors, in merriment or feasting; to carouse; to revel; hence, to lake alcoholic liquors to excess; to be intemperate in the se of intoxicating or spirituous liquors; to tipple.
And they drank, and were merry with him.
Bolingbroke always spoke freely when he had drunk freely.
I drink to the general joy of the whole table,And to our dear friend Banquo.
Swallow
The gullet, or esophagus; the throat.
Drink
To swallow (a liquid); to receive, as a fluid, into the stomach; to imbibe; as, to drink milk or water.
There lies she with the blessed gods in bliss,There drinks the nectar with ambrosia mixed.
The bowl of punch which was brewed and drunk in Mrs. Betty's room.
Swallow
Taste; relish; inclination; liking.
I have no swallow for it.
Drink
To take in (a liquid), in any manner; to suck up; to absorb; to imbibe.
And let the purple violets drink the stream.
Swallow
Capacity for swallowing; voracity.
There being nothing too gross for the swallow of political rancor.
Drink
To take in; to receive within one, through the senses; to inhale; to hear; to see.
To drink the cooler air,
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred wordsOf that tongue's utterance.
Let me . . . drink delicious poison from thy eye.
Swallow
As much as is, or can be, swallowed at once; as, a swallow of water.
Drink
To smoke, as tobacco.
And some men now live ninety years and past,Who never drank to tobacco first nor last.
Swallow
That which ingulfs; a whirlpool.
Drink
Liquid to be swallowed; any fluid to be taken into the stomach for quenching thirst or for other purposes, as water, coffee, or decoctions.
Give me some drink, Titinius.
Swallow
To take into the stomach; to receive through the gullet, or esophagus, into the stomach; as, to swallow food or drink.
As if I had swallowed snowballs for pills.
Drink
Specifically, intoxicating liquor; as, when drink is on, wit is out.
Swallow
To draw into an abyss or gulf; to ingulf; to absorb - usually followed by up.
The earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses.
Drink
A single serving of a beverage;
I asked for a hot drink
Likes a drink before dinner
Swallow
To receive or embrace, as opinions or belief, without examination or scruple; to receive implicitly.
Though that story . . . be not so readily swallowed.
Drink
The act of drinking alcoholic beverages to excess;
Drink was his downfall
Swallow
To engross; to appropriate; - usually with up.
Homer excels . . . in this, that he swallowed up the honor of those who succeeded him.
Drink
Any liquid suitable for drinking;
May I take your beverage order?
Swallow
To occupy; to take up; to employ.
The necessary provision of the life swallows the greatest part of their time.
Drink
Any large deep body of water;
He jumped into the drink and had to be rescued
Swallow
To seize and waste; to exhaust; to consume.
Corruption swallowed what the liberal handOf bounty scattered.
Drink
The act of swallowing;
One swallow of the liquid was enough
He took a drink of his beer and smacked his lips
Swallow
To retract; to recant; as, to swallow one's opinions.
Drink
Take in liquids;
The patient must drink several liters each day
The children like to drink soda
Swallow
To put up with; to bear patiently or without retaliation; as, to swallow an affront or insult.
Drink
Consume alcohol;
We were up drinking all night
Swallow
To perform the act of swallowing; as, his cold is so severe he is unable to swallow.
Drink
Propose a toast to;
Let us toast the birthday girl!
Let's drink to the New Year
Swallow
A small amount of liquid food;
A sup of ale
Drink
Be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to;
The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage
Swallow
The act of swallowing;
One swallow of the liquid was enough
He took a drink of his beer and smacked his lips
Drink
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol; be an alcoholic;
The husband drinks and beats his wife
Swallow
Small long-winged songbird noted for swift graceful flight and the regularity of its migrations
Drink
Consume liquids through the mouth.
She drank a glass of water after her run.
Swallow
Pass through the esophagus as part of eating or drinking;
Swallow the raw fish--it won't kill you!
Drink
Take in liquid nourishment.
It's important to drink plenty of fluids when you're sick.
Swallow
Engulf and destroy;
The Nazis swallowed the Baltic countries
Drink
Engage in consuming beverages.
They went out to drink coffee at their favorite café.
Swallow
Enclose or envelop completely, as if by swallowing;
The huge waves swallowed the small boat and it sank shortly thereafter
Drink
Imbibe any liquid.
He drank the soup straight from the bowl.
Swallow
Utter indistinctly;
She swallowed the last words of her speech
Swallow
Take back what one has said;
He swallowed his words
Swallow
Keep from expressing;
I swallowed my anger and kept quiet
Swallow
Tolerate or accommodate oneself to;
I shall have to accept these unpleasant working conditions
I swallowed the insult
She has learned to live with her husband's little idiosyncracies
Swallow
Believe or accept without questioning or challenge;
Am I supposed to swallow that story?
Swallow
Pass food or liquid from mouth to stomach.
He had to swallow the bitter pill with some water.
Swallow
Complete an involuntary muscle movement.
It can be difficult to swallow when you have a sore throat.
Swallow
Physically ingest.
He had to swallow several times to clear his throat.
FAQs
What does drink mean?
Drink means to consume liquids through the mouth.
What does swallow mean?
Swallow means to move food or liquid from the mouth to the stomach.
Is swallowing always involuntary?
Swallowing involves both voluntary and involuntary muscle movements.
Does drinking have social implications?
Yes, drinking can imply social activities, especially with alcoholic beverages.
How is swallowing different from drinking?
Swallowing is a specific phase in the ingestion process, while drinking encompasses the entire process of consuming a liquid.
What is an example of swallowing in medication?
Taking a pill and swallowing it with water.
What is the first step in drinking?
Bringing the liquid to the mouth.
Can drinking occur without swallowing?
No, swallowing is a necessary part of drinking as it moves the liquid to the stomach.
Can you swallow without drinking?
Yes, you can swallow food or saliva without drinking.
What does swallowing involve physiologically?
Swallowing involves coordinated muscle movements and reflexes.
What is the last step in swallowing?
Moving the substance down the esophagus to the stomach.
Can animals drink?
Yes, animals can drink liquids through various methods.
Is drinking essential for hydration?
Yes, drinking is crucial for maintaining hydration.
What is an example of drinking in medication?
Consuming a liquid medicine.
Is swallowing a neutral term?
Yes, swallowing is a neutral term focusing on the physiological action.
Can drinking involve solid substances?
No, drinking involves liquid substances only.
Is drinking limited to specific liquids?
No, drinking can involve any liquid, including water, juice, and alcoholic beverages.
Is swallowing essential for digestion?
Yes, swallowing is essential to move food to the stomach for digestion.
What is the role of the esophagus in swallowing?
The esophagus transports swallowed substances from the throat to the stomach.
Can animals swallow?
Yes, swallowing is a biological process common to many animals.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Co-written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
