wild rice

noun

: a tall aquatic North American perennial grass (Zizania aquatica) that yields an edible grain
also : the grain

Examples of wild rice in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Today, the menu has expanded to include tortas, burritos, nachos and fillings like lobster, filet mignon and yams with wild rice. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2024 It's packed with healthful veggies and wild rice for dinner that's good for both the soul and the body. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2023 Common ones include oatmeal, whole wheat flour, farro, quinoa, barley, bulgur, and brown, black, red and wild rice, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024 The new state seal features a loon amid wild rice, to replace the image of a Native American riding off into the sunset while a white settler plows his field with a rifle at the ready. Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 3 Jan. 2024 Nutty wild rice goes well with pheasant, and the sweetness of the grapes is a pleasant contrast to the birds’ gaminess. Taryn White, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023 Leaf, who was trained as a zoologist, looks back to the days when La Pointe was home to the Anishinaabe and talks to a woman who today is finding her culture by learning to harvest wild rice. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Jan. 2024 The Tofurky holiday roast stuffing is a mix of wild rice, breadcrumbs, celery, onion, carrot, leek and seasonings. Lee Powell, Washington Post, 21 Nov. 2023 The salad is made up of Sweetgreen’s new tender herb roasted chicken, alongside a double scoop of wild rice, hot roasted sweet potatoes, creamy veg slaw, spicy broccoli, Sweetgreen’s housemade hot sauce Hot Stuff, and better-for-you BBQ sauce. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 9 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wild rice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wild rice was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near wild rice

Cite this Entry

“Wild rice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wild%20rice. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

wild rice

noun
: a tall North American grass that grows in water and produces an edible grain
also : the grain

More from Merriam-Webster on wild rice

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