bay rum

American

noun

a fragrant liquid used chiefly as an aftershaving lotion, prepared by distilling the leaves of the tropical American bay, Pimenta racemosa, with rum or by mixing oil from the leaves with alcohol, water, and other oils.

bay rum British

noun

an aromatic liquid, used in medicines and cosmetics, originally obtained by distilling the leaves of the bayberry tree ( Pimenta racemosa ) with rum: now also synthesized from alcohol, water, and various oils
another name for bayberry

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bay rum

An Americanism dating back to 1830–40

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Russell’s Santa probably doesn’t smell like peppermint either, but he’s rough around the edges in just the right proportion to envision the guy being partial to a good quality bay rum.

From Salon • Dec. 15, 2018

A correspondent believes it was misleading, in offering an original recipe for a cocktail inspired by bay rum, to strongly imply that Cardamaro and cardamom bitters share an interchangeable flavor.

From Slate • Dec. 26, 2013

The marketers would suggest that bay rum appeals to the retrosexual because his grandfather wore it.

From Slate • Oct. 16, 2013

In Valdosta, Ga., the watchful city council announced that henceforth liquor licenses would be required for any place of business selling bay rum.

From Time Magazine Archive

Harry looked handsome and reeked of the competing scents of lavender pomade and bay rum toilet water.

From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023