malt

1 of 3

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 3

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

malty

3 of 3

adjective

ˈmȯltē 

-ti

-er/-est

1

: containing or resembling malt

2

: addicted to malt liquor

Examples of malt in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Walls lined with Davidson sports memorabilia set the scene for a menu of mid-century classics, from cream cheese–and–olive sandwiches to chocolate malts and Betty Boop sundaes made with black cherry ice cream. — Brennan Long, Southern Living, 7 July 2026

This former Highland malt producer officially stopped producing in 1985. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Verb

This is also made from 100 percent malted rye, but the grain has not been smoked, and it’s aged in ex-bourbon and French oak casks. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 16 June 2026

Every kernel of corn, rye, wheat, and barley that goes into a Frey Ranch whiskey is grown on the ranch, the barley malted on-site, milled, mashed, distilled, aged, and bottled within the same property. — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Adjective

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