rye

¹ American  

[rahy] / raɪ /

noun

1. a widely cultivated cereal grass, Secale cereale, having one-nerved glumes and two- or three-flowered spikelets.

2. the seeds or grain of this plant, used for making flour and whiskey, and as a livestock feed.

3. rye bread.

4. a straight whiskey distilled from a mash containing 51 percent or more rye grain.

5. Northeastern U.S. and Canada. a blended whiskey.

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adjective

1. made with rye grain or flour.

   rye rolls.

rye ² American  

[rahy] / raɪ /

noun

1. a male Romani; Rom.

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Rye ³ American  

[rahy] / raɪ /

noun

1. a city in SE New York, on Long Island Sound.

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rye ¹ British  

/ raɪ /

noun

1. a tall hardy widely cultivated annual grass, Secale cereale , having soft bluish-green leaves, bristly flower spikes, and light brown grain See also wild rye

2. the grain of this grass, used in making flour and whiskey, and as a livestock food

3. Also called: rye whiskey.  whiskey distilled from rye. US whiskey must by law contain not less than 51 per cent rye

4. short for rye bread

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Rye ² British  

/ raɪ /

noun

1. a resort in SE England, in East Sussex: one of the Cinque Ports. Pop: 4195 (2001)

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rye ³ British  

/ raɪ /

noun

1. dialect a gentleman

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Etymology

Origin of rye¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English ryge; cognate with Old Norse rūgr; akin to Dutch rogge, German Roggen

Origin of rye²

First recorded in 1850–55; from Romani rai “man, gentleman,” ultimately from Sanskrit rājan “king”; rajah ( def. )

Explanation

Rye is a grain that's commonly used to make things like bread and beer. So much rye is grown in Eastern Europe that it's known as the "rye belt." The earliest rye appeared as invasive weeds that grew in fields of wheat. Once people began harvesting and making food with it, they realized what a hearty and versatile grain it was. Because rye grows in poor soils and thrives even with limited amounts of sunlight, it was once commonly referred to as a "poverty grain." Today you can find rye all over the supermarket, in bread, flour, crackers, and whiskey.

Example Sentences

Washington retired two years later to Mount Vernon, where—perhaps inspired by the rebellion—he became a successful distiller of rye and corn whiskey.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

She has cultivated a down-to-earth image, posting photos on social media of her meal of tinned mackerel on rye bread and cleaning windows at home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Kiwifruit, rye bread, and mineral-rich water may help reduce the discomfort of chronic constipation, according to new evidence-based dietary guidelines developed by researchers at King's College London.

From Science Daily • Oct. 22, 2025

Snacking on 8-10 prunes a day and some rye bread can also have a similar effect.

From BBC • Oct. 13, 2025

Mutti brings him two soft-boiled eggs in blue eggcups and a thick slice of rye toast.

From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Related Words

• bran
• corn
• grain
• rice
• wheat