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

The crunchy rinds will add a cucumber-like flavor to the dish. — Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2026

When cool enough to handle, scoop pulp from rind into a food processor or blender. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Aug. 2026

Participants are each given half a watermelon to eat in a specified time period, and they must be consumed down to the rind. — Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Citruses, like bergamot and orange rind, give vanilla a bright and airy lightness, whereas aromatic notes, like lavender and geranium, smell like a garden growing around vanilla orchid vines. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026

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)