wort

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈwərt  ˈwȯrt 

: plant

especially : an herbaceous plant

—usually used in combination

lousewort

wort

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a sweet liquid drained from mash and fermented to make beer and whiskey

Examples of wort in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As a brewer, my father spent his days busied by every manner of task—boiling wort, cleaning barrels, keeping records. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 May 2025

Other sections grow medicinal plants, such as rose mallow used to treat digestion issues and master wort for muscle cramps; as well as produce such as wild strawberries, gooseberries; raspberries, string beans, kale, kohlrabi and carrots, as well as aromatic herbs. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Certain supplements should be avoided, such as: St. John's wort: St. John's wort is also commonly taken for ADHD. —Lindsay Cook, Verywell Health, 28 Apr. 2025

To do it, the brewers ran hot wort from the kettle down the channel of a split 12-foot section of a pine tree. —Jonathan Shikes, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English wyrt root, herb, plant — more at root

Noun (2)

Middle English, from Old English wyrt; akin to Middle High German würze brewer's wort, Old English wyrt root, herb

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing wort

• Saint John's wort
• St. John's wort

Kids Definition

wort

noun

ˈwərt,

ˈwȯ(ə)rt

: a sweet liquid that is drained from mash made from crushed malt or grain meal and that is fermented to make beer and whiskey