malt

1 of 2

noun

ˈmȯlt 

1

: grain (such as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling

2

: malt liquor

3

: malted milk

malty

ˈmȯl-tē 

adjective

malt

2 of 2

verb

malted; malting; malts

transitive verb

1

: to convert into malt

2

: to make or treat with malt or malt extract

intransitive verb

1

: to become malt

2

: to make grain into malt

Examples of malt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That means there are more than ten million casks of aging whisky across the portfolio to choose from, and the Johnnie Walker lineup is produced by blending together malt and grain whiskies from many of these distilleries. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 30 Sep. 2026

The malt beverage was crisp, refreshing and just sweet enough. — Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 2026

Verb

Highlights of my early-summer meal included squash blossoms filled with ayu (sweetfish) pâté and caviar-topped malted Inca no Mezame potato soup over egg custard. — Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2026

The other two are much younger—12 and 15-year-old single malts, both made from barley that was malted at the distillery’s own floor malting, and aged in ex-bourbon barrels before being finished in sherry casks. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English mealt; akin to Old High German malz malt, Old English meltan to melt

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing malt

• malt liquor
• malt sugar
• malt whiskey
• single malt

Rhymes for malt

• alt
• fault
• gault
• halt
• sault
• vault
• walt
• asphalt
• assault
• basalt
• cobalt
• default

Kids Definition

malt

1 of 2 noun

ˈmȯlt 

1

: grain and especially barley steeped in water and used chiefly in brewing and distilling

2

: malted milk sense 2

malt adjective

malt

2 of 2 verb

1

: to convert into malt

2

: to make or treat with malt or malt extract

Medical Definition

malt

1 of 2 noun

ˈmȯlt 

: grain softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling

MALT

2 of 2 abbreviation

mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue