rye

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈrī 

1

: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop

2

: the seeds of rye

3

: rye bread

4

: rye whiskey

rye

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a male member of the Roma

Examples of rye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The palate has rich notes of toffee, malt sweetness, vanilla, and subtle spice, leading to a smooth, balanced finish with hints of seasoned oak and peppery rye. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

According to the brand, Baker’s High-Rye Bourbon has twice as much rye as regular Baker’s, which would put it at just about the same mashbill as Basil Hayden and Old Grand-Dad. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2024

Those efforts support regrowth of native big bluestem grass, Joe Pye weed, old world goldenrod, silky rye, bottlebrush grass, nodding wild onion and Indian grass. —Susan Degrane, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2024

After your hike, relax at Pen Druid Fermentation, which makes native beers and natural ciders, or Copper Fox Distillery, which concocts bourbons, brandies, and ryes. —Madeline Weinfield, Southern Living, 20 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English ryge; akin to Old High German rocko rye, Lithuanian rugys

Noun (2)

borrowed from Welsh Romani raj "lord, gentleman," going back to an Old Indo-Aryan cognate of Sanskrit rā́jan- "king" — more at royal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rye

• rye bread
• rye whiskey
• wild rye

Kids Definition

rye

noun

ˈrī

1

: a hardy annual cereal grass widely grown for grain and as a cover crop

also : its seeds

2

: rye bread

3

: whiskey distilled from rye or from rye and malt

Medical Definition

rye

noun

ˈrī 

1

: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop

2

: the seeds of rye used for bread flour, whiskey manufacture, feed for farm animals (as poultry), and especially formerly in the roasted state as a coffee substitute

Geographical Definition

Rye

geographical name

ˈrī 

town in East Sussex, southeastern England population 4800