rye

1 of 2

noun (1)

1
: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
2
: the seeds of rye
3
4

rye

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a male member of the Roma

Examples of rye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Guests mixed the aged bourbons and ryes to their preferred style and strength. Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 The town was home to copper shops, a stove factory, three blacksmiths, a rye whisky distillery, a cheese factory, dry goods and general stores, and a wagon and carriage manufacturer. Detroit Free Press, 4 Mar. 2024 For all the flower-lovers, try your hand at an Easter centerpiece, rye grass Easter basket, flower pot, or egg carton planer. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 26 Feb. 2024 Dinner includes fish, coleslaw, fries, rye roll, tartar sauce, lemon wedge and coffee. Journal Sentinel, 14 Feb. 2024 Currently, one experience is available to book on the website: a review of American whiskey including bourbon and rye. Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The bread was marbled rye, the cheese was American and the patty was made of mushrooms. Pete Wells, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2024 Over time, these mites consume both the rye flour and the cheese's surface. Maeghan Dolph, Fox News, 25 Jan. 2024 This upscale cocktail lounge, devoid of outdoor signage, boasts a menu rich in rye, bourbon whiskey, and gin. Branded Content Contributor, Orange County Register, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rye.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of rye was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near rye

Cite this Entry

“Rye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rye. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rye

noun
ˈrī
1
: a hardy annual cereal grass widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
also : its seeds
2
3
: whiskey distilled from rye or from rye and malt

Medical Definition

rye

noun
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

town in East Sussex, southeastern England population 4800

More from Merriam-Webster on rye

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