rye

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈrī How to pronounce rye (audio)
1
: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
2
: the seeds of rye
3
: rye bread
4
: rye whiskey

rye

2 of 2

noun (2)

: a male member of the Roma

Examples of rye in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Adams said straw, mushrooms, corn, rye and sunflowers are great bioremediators that can help to repair damage to soils. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026 Barton rye was the backbone of many brands in the budding craft whiskey scene of the 2000s and 2010s. — Chris Perugini, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 The Canadian rye is said to contribute floral notes, the American rye provides peppery spice, and the European rye adds bready, herbal depth. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 July 2026 My personal nap-after-lunch vice is the Collard Green Melt on toasted rye. — Jenny Adams, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for rye

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English ryge; akin to Old High German rocko rye, Lithuanian rugys

Noun (2)

borrowed from Welsh Romani raj "lord, gentleman," going back to an Old Indo-Aryan cognate of Sanskrit rā́jan- "king" — more at royal entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1851, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rye was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing rye

Rhymes for rye

See All Rhymes for rye

Browse Nearby Words

Ryder
rye
Rye
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rye. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

rye

noun
ˈrī
1
: a hardy annual cereal grass widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
also : its seeds
2
: rye bread
3
: whiskey distilled from rye or from rye and malt

Medical Definition

rye

noun
ˈrī How to pronounce rye (audio)
1
: a hardy annual grass (Secale cereale) that is widely grown for grain and as a cover crop
2
: the seeds of rye used for bread flour, whiskey manufacture, feed for farm animals (as poultry), and especially formerly in the roasted state as a coffee substitute

Geographical Definition

Rye

geographical name

ˈrī How to pronounce Rye (audio)
town in East Sussex, southeastern England population 4800

More from Merriam-Webster on rye

Nglish: Translation of rye for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rye

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