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

When offered a “terrific Japanese malt,” he silently observes: “I hate whisky. Meths for people with money.”

From The Wall Street Journal

In the 1970s, actor Billy Dee Williams was the iconic face of Colt 45 malt liquor.

From Salon

I would soon learn that even a centuries-old “whisky hotel” can find novel ways to tell single malt’s story.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The reduction of trade barriers in the Republic of Korea will further enhance Scotch Whisky's access to an important market, especially for single malts."

From BBC

Single malts, which sell at premium prices, are a particularly important part of exports to the US.

From BBC

Related Words

• brew
• suds