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 oak influence borders on whiskey territory, but the agave spice is still there and would pair nicely with a ligero wrapper cigar or crossover to Bourbon drinkers that like a sipper with high rye, black pepper note. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Bourbon can be sweeter, rye spicy, scotch smoky (not always), and Irish smooth (also not always). —Paul Feinstein, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024

In addition to a few age-statement releases that are finished in different types of barrels, WhistlePig has also been distilling its own bourbon and rye at its Vermont farm and releasing it under its FarmStock label. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 Dec. 2024

These crackers have a deep, toasty rye flavor and tiny holes like mini slices of sourdough. —Alex Beggs, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 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