rice

1 of 3

noun

ˈrīs 

: the starchy seeds of an annual southeast Asian cereal grass (Oryza sativa) that are cooked and used for food

also : this cereal grass that is widely cultivated in warm climates for its seeds and by-products compare wild rice

Illustration of rice

rice

2 of 3

verb

riced; ricing; rices

transitive verb

: to finely chop or process (a food) so that it resembles rice

riced cauliflower

Grilled calamari is served over riced potatoes that melt in the mouth

—Mitch Frank

Ricing the spuds with the butter and cream, rather than mashing them, makes them light and airy, and gives you a completely different experience.

—Yotam Ottolenghi

RICE

3 of 3

abbreviation

rest, ice, compression, elevation

Examples of rice in a Sentence

Noun

Rice is the main crop of the country.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The manager also blamed a power outage from the previous night for cooked potatoes, cooked rice, raw steak, raw chicken and raw swai being too warm after a night in the walk-in cooler. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2024

Cook Roman recipes for stracciatella (egg drop soup) and tomatoes stuffed with rice from Leah Koenig’s Portico: Cooking and Feasting in Rome's Jewish Kitchen. —Devra Ferst, Bon Appétit, 11 Apr. 2024

If necessary, substitute short-grain Arborio rice or medium-grain rice, like Calrose. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 11 Apr. 2024

The same week, Vietnam declared a state of emergency after abnormally high temperatures in the south dried up entire rice fields. —Heather Chen, CNN, 10 Apr. 2024

To my mind, a stew needs to be thick enough to eat with a fork but coated with plenty of velvety sauce so there’s a puddle left at the bottom of the bowl, easily mopped up with a piece of crusty bread (or soaked up by rice, noodles or mashed potatoes). —Melissa Clark, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Apr. 2024

For the indica rices (jasmine and basmati), the difference between unwashed and rinsed rice was imperceptible. —Julia Moskin, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Some signature items include the Bollywood tacos, made with Indian flatbread and piled with chicken, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo and avocado. —Amanda Hancock, The Courier-Journal, 5 Apr. 2024

Haitians in Florida use them to send rice, beans and other supplies home to loved ones. —Amanda Coletta, Washington Post, 5 Apr. 2024

Verb

Connors said a majority of Bad River tribal members prefer ricing at Kakagon than off-reservation. —Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 7 Sep. 2023

Prepare riced cauliflower according to package instructions. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023

Saffron appears everywhere from risotto Milanese and the bouillabaisse of Marseille to rice dishes across the Middle East and India, proof of both its desirability and its ability to grow in many parts of the world. —Jane Black, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English rys, from Anglo-French ris, from Old Italian riso, from Greek oryza, oryzon, of Iranian origin; akin to Pashto wriže rice; akin to Sanskrit vrīhi rice

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1904, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rice

• arborio rice
• basmati rice
• brown rice
• converted rice
• dirty rice
• fried rice
• glutinous rice
• jollof rice
• parboiled rice
• rice cooker
• rice paper
• rice polishings
• rice pudding
• Spanish rice
• white rice
• wild rice

Kids Definition

rice

noun

ˈrīs 

1

: a southeast Asian grass widely grown in warm wet areas especially for its seeds which are used for food

2

: the seeds of rice

Medical Definition

RICE

abbreviation

rest, ice, compression, elevation

—used especially for the initial treatment of many usually minor sports-related injuries (as sprains)

Biographical Definition

Rice 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

ˈrīs 

Condoleezza 1954–     U.S. Secretary of State (2005–09)

Rice

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Elmer Leopold 1892–1967 originally Elmer Reizenstein American dramatist