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
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
Defined by a mash bill containing 20% or more rye grain, these bourbons combine the rich sweetness of corn with the distinctive spice and complexity rye delivers. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025 Whiskey fans love Woodford Reserve for its bourbon, but the distillery also makes other styles of whiskey—including rye, malt, and experimental mashbills that fall under its Distillery Series and Master’s Collection lineups. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 14 Aug. 2025 An institution for over a century, the beloved Jewish bakery was owned by a family that immigrated to Savannah from Russia in the late 1800s and was known for its rye, challah, rugelach, and, of course, Chocolate Chewies. Colleen McNally Arnett, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2025 The bread is spongy and moist, sweet with an underlying nuttiness and hint of salt from the tahini incorporated in the batter made with rye flour. Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 4 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rye

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rye. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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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