rye

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈrī 

1

: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop

2

: the seeds of rye

3

: rye bread

4

: rye whiskey

rye

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a male member of the Roma

Examples of rye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Chef Rachel Bindel, a 2022 US Finalist, served rye toast piled high with Maryland blue crab, horseradish crème, and pickled green tomato. — Sari Kamin, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Nov. 2026

Pumpernickel, rye and salt bagels still have a place in the case at Shirley’s. — Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 11 Nov. 2026

The other more interesting release is the Straight Rye Malt Whisky, made from Australian Heritage, Vampire, and Bevy rye malts, and aged in charred virgin American oak barrels for at least three years. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 11 Nov. 2026

Faria Bakery 3417 Broadway, Sacramento Pre-orders for chocolate pecan rye tarts, milk bread rolls, pumpkin pie and more are available on Faria Bakery’s website. — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 10 Nov. 2026

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

Phrases Containing rye

• rye bread
• rye whiskey
• wild rye

Rhymes for rye

• ai
• aye
• bae
• bi
• buy
• by
• bye
• chai
• chi
• cry
• die
• dry

Kids Definition

rye

noun

ˈrī

1

: a hardy annual cereal grass widely grown for grain and as a cover crop

also : its seeds

2

: rye bread

3

: whiskey distilled from rye or from rye and malt

Medical Definition

rye

noun

ˈrī 

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

ˈrī 

town in East Sussex, southeastern England