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

Advertisement The handicap American whiskey faces is strict rules about production, with both bourbon and rye requiring aging in new oak, which is a concession to the cooperage industry to keep supplying fresh barrels. —Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026

Dupuy keeps the pairings closer to the wine’s home, suggesting speck, smoked and cured ham that is served locally on rye flatbread with horseradish sauce. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 24 May 2026

Despite the finishing influences, the bourbon core remains clear, anchored by corn sweetness and rye spice. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026

Chocolate Morning Muffins Made with a combination of whole wheat and dark rye flours, whole milk yogurt, and just one tablespoon of sugar per serving (plus what’s in the chocolate), these moist chocolate muffins have every right to be on your breakfast table. —Carolynn Carreño, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 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 population 4800