rind

noun

ˈrīnd 

 dialectal  ˈrīn

1

: the bark of a tree

2

: a usually hard or tough outer layer : peel, crust

rinded

ˈrīn-dəd 

adjective

Examples of rind in a Sentence

the rind of a watermelon

the rind of a cheese

Recent Examples on the Web

Cut off the rind: Use your knife to trim down the sides of the melon to remove the rind (skip this step if preparing watermelon slices with the rind on). —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 July 2025

In a 5- to 8-quart slow cooker, add the peppers, onion, garlic powder, oregano and red pepper and Parmesan rind (if using). —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, Denver Post, 16 July 2025

The rind should have a bright sheen and have a spot of creamy, yellow shading on one side. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 June 2025

Not the pitted crow-feather black olives that cuddled between gherkins and pickled watermelon rind in our holiday relish dish; those were tasteless gloomy orbs cured with lye and dyed with chemical additives. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 28 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German rinda bark, and probably to Old English rendan to rend

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing rind

• pork rind

Rhymes for rind

• bind
• blind
• dined
• find
• fined
• grind
• hind
• kind
• lined
• mind
• mined
• pined

Kids Definition

rind

noun

ˈrīnd 

: the bark of a tree

also : a usually hard or tough outer layer (as the skin of a fruit)