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

Old Rip Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13-Year-Old - $199.99 Roasted nuts, oaky vanilla, and ripe fruit highlight the aroma of the 95.6-proof rye in the Van Winkle family. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Instructions Step 1 In a medium pitcher or bowl, stir together the rye, sherry, and allspice dram. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 11 Dec. 2024

For now, the Beam Private Barrel Club will be limited to Knob Creek bourbon and rye, but the distillery is evaluating other brands for the future. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Dec. 2024

Whole grains like quinoa, rye, oats, barley, and brown rice provide complex carbohydrates that are digested more slowly. —Ana Morales, Vogue, 26 Nov. 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