pearl barley

American  

noun

1. barley milled into small, round grains, used in cooking, especially in soups.

---

pearl barley British  

noun

1. barley ground into small round grains, used in cooking, esp in soups and stews

---

Etymology

Origin of pearl barley

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

There’s no need to soak quicker-cooking or cracked options, such as freekeh and pearl barley.

From Washington Post • Sep. 12, 2022

Scotch beef ramen, with pickled root vegetables, had 3.0 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent, while pearl barley and root vegetable hotpot with marinated cabbage came in at 0.1 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2021

In a food processor or blender, pulse the pearl barley just until grains are reduced in size by a quarter to a half.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 5, 2018

The lineup includes not only terrific vegetable recipes, but also comfort food like fondant rutabaga gratin or pearl barley risotto with watercress and asparagus.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 4, 2015

Two ounces of macaroni, vermicelli, pearl barley, sago, tapioca, rice, or oatmeal, are usually allowed for each quart of stock.

From The Cooking Manual of Practical Directions for Economical Every-Day Cookery by Corson, Juliet