# Rees

/ˈɹiz/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rees
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Definition

to clean or wash something, especially grain or seeds, by shaking them in water. It is an old word used mostly in farming or traditional cooking.

For teachers: to rid of impurities by washing or rinsing; specifically, to clean grain or seeds in water. Primarily used in agricultural or historical contexts.

## Examples

- The farmer must rees the grain before it can be ground into flour.
- Traditional methods required the workers to rees the seeds in large wooden tubs to remove the dust and chaff.
- In the historical reconstruction of the mill, the guide demonstrated how to rees the barley, ensuring that every husk was floated away before the drying process began.

## Usage notes

- The verb is transitive and requires a direct object, typically a type of grain or seed.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.