malt

American  

[mawlt] / mɔlt /

noun

1. germinated grain, usually barley, used in brewing and distilling.

2. any alcoholic beverage, as beer, ale, or malt liquor, fermented from malt.

3. whisky, as Scotch, that is distilled entirely from malted barley.

4. malted milk.

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verb (used with object)

1. to convert (grain) into malt by soaking it in water and allowing it to germinate.

2. to treat or mix with malt, malt extract, etc.

3. to make (liquor) with malt.

verb (used without object)

1. to become malt.

2. to produce malt from grain.

malt British  

/ mɔːlt /

noun

1. cereal grain, such as barley, that is kiln-dried after it has germinated by soaking in water

2. See malt liquor

3. short for malt whisky

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verb

1. to make into or become malt

2. to make (something, esp liquor) with malt

Etymology

Origin of malt

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English mealt; cognate with Old Norse malt, German Malz; akin to melt ¹

Example Sentences

Shares of drinks giant Diageo ticked up, while Artisanal Spirits, the owner of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, also rose.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

Julie Roberts, brand innovation manager at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, said the research was a good way to challenge perceptions that whisky was an old man's club.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2024

Raymond Lee, founder of the Single Malt Club China, a whisky trading and distribution company in Beijing, said whisky has become more popular as the economy has grown.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 25, 2023

He will end it at Misty’s Malt Shop, located on Main Street in Keosauqua.

From Washington Times • Dec. 10, 2023

Malt in smooth wavy sea Over a lard-spring's brink Flowed through the floor.

From Ancient Irish Poetry by Various

Related Words

• brew
• suds