barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum and especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each joint of the rachis

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds

Examples of barley in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Talnua produces whiskey from a mashbill of 50% malted barley and 50% unmalted barley. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

All Bardstown bourbons are distilled from a mash bill featuring 72 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 15 percent barley. — Molly Burford, Southern Living, 20 July 2026

Cat grass, grown from wheat, barley, oat or rye seeds, is another popular option. — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026

However, it’s not made from barley, but rather orzo is made from semolina, a course-ground flour made from durum wheat. — Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English barly, from Old English bærlic of barley; akin to Old English bere barley, Latin far spelt

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing barley

• barley-bree
• barley-broo
• barley sugar
• barley wine

Rhymes for barley

• charley
• charlie
• marly
• bizarrely

Kids Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass with flowers in dense spikes

also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, in foods (as soups and cereals), or as feed for livestock

Medical Definition

barley

noun

bar·​ley ˈbär-lē 

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum, especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns

also : its seed used in malt beverages and in breakfast foods and stock feeds