# Reuben

/ˈɹubən/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reuben
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. a sandwich

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a hot sandwich made with corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and special dressing on rye bread.

For teachers: a grilled sandwich consisting of corned beef, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Russian or Thousand Island dressing, typically served on rye bread.

- I ordered a Reuben with extra sauerkraut for lunch at the deli.
- The classic Reuben remains a staple of American delicatessens, prized for its balance of salty beef, melted cheese, and tangy fermented cabbage.

### 2. a person's name

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a traditional male name that comes from the Bible.

For teachers: a male given name of Hebrew origin, referring to the eldest son of Jacob in the Old Testament.

- Reuben was the oldest of the brothers in the story.
- In the Book of Genesis, Reuben is depicted as the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah, though he later loses his birthright.

## Examples

- I ordered a reuben with extra sauerkraut for lunch.
- The local deli is famous for its reuben, which they serve with a large pickle and potato salad.
- While the origins of the reuben are debated between Omaha and New York, it remains a staple of American Jewish-style delis, prized for its balance of salty, sour, and creamy flavors.

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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.