malt

1 of 2

noun

1
: grain (such as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling
2
3
malty 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Spirit Gold Outstanding, 99/100 Points This whiskey is aged for 10 years in Kentucky and then receives an extended secondary finishing in ex-Isle of Jura single-malt Scotch casks. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026 It’s named after French chemist Louis Camille Maillard, who identified the reaction that occurs when malt, meat and many other things are roasted. Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Verb
This is also made from 100 percent malted rye, but the grain has not been smoked, and it’s aged in ex-bourbon and French oak casks. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 June 2026 Every kernel of corn, rye, wheat, and barley that goes into a Frey Ranch whiskey is grown on the ranch, the barley malted on-site, milled, mashed, distilled, aged, and bottled within the same property. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for malt

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Malt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/malt. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

malt

1 of 2 noun
1
: grain and especially barley steeped in water and used chiefly in brewing and distilling
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
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on malt

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster