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

Although less popular than similar grains, such as oatmeal, barley offers several health benefits. —Jamie Johnson, Verywell Health, 9 Feb. 2026

As with most other soups, the sodium content in beef barley soup can be a concern. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 9 Feb. 2026

Volume measurements of barley and oats were still marked on a wall. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Real farmers, including Brian Fransen, a real-life Budweiser barley farmer, appear in the commercial. —Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 30 Jan. 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