malt

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯlt 

1

: grain (such as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling

2

: malt liquor

3

: malted milk

malty

ˈmȯl-tē 

adjective

malt

2 of 2

verb

malted; malting; malts

transitive verb

1

: to convert into malt

2

: to make or treat with malt or malt extract

intransitive verb

1

: to become malt

2

: to make grain into malt

Examples of malt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The range includes blended Scotch, a mix of single malt and grain whisky, and blended malts, a mix of single malts without grain whisky. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025

The brand has been around in one form or another since 1820, when it was founded by the titular John Walker who purchased malt and grain whiskies to blend and sell to customers. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 3 Dec. 2024

Verb

Japanese producers achieve the same end by inoculating their grains — usually rice — with koji mold, which works faster and more efficiently than malting. —Clay Risen, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025

America imports a significant amount of malting barley from Canada for use in brewing. —Don Tse, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English mealt; akin to Old High German malz malt, Old English meltan to melt

First Known Use

Noun

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

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing malt

• malt liquor
• malt sugar
• malt whiskey
• single malt

Kids Definition

malt

1 of 2 noun

ˈmȯlt 

1

: grain and especially barley steeped in water and used chiefly in brewing and distilling

2

: malted milk sense 2

malt adjective

malt

2 of 2 verb

1

: to convert into malt

2

: to make or treat with malt or malt extract

Medical Definition

malt

1 of 2 noun

ˈmȯlt 

: grain softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling

MALT

2 of 2 abbreviation

mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue