# rye

/ˈɹaɪ/ (US) · /ɹˈaɪ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the grain or plant

noun · CEFR B2

a plant or its grain used to make flour for dark, heavy bread.

For teachers: the hardy cereal grass Secale cereale or its grain, commonly used in northern Europe for bread-making and fodder.

- The farmer grew rye because it survives better in cold weather than wheat.
- Rye is a resilient crop that thrives in poor soils where other cereals might fail, making it a staple in many northern climates.

### 2. rye bread

noun · CEFR B2

a type of dark bread made from rye flour.

For teachers: a dense, dark bread produced using flour from rye grain.

- I ordered a pastrami sandwich on toasted rye with extra mustard.
- The bakery is famous for its traditional sourdough rye, which has a distinctively sharp and earthy flavour profile.

### 3. rye whiskey

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a type of strong alcohol made from rye grain.

For teachers: a variety of whiskey distilled from a mash containing at least 51 percent rye grain.

- He sat at the bar and ordered a glass of rye on the rocks.
- The bartender recommended a local rye for the cocktail, noting its spicy finish compared to the sweetness of a typical bourbon.

## Examples

- I prefer the taste of toasted rye bread.
- The baker specializes in traditional sourdough loaves made with a blend of organic rye and wheat flour.
- Because rye thrives in poor soil and cold climates where wheat often fails, it became a staple crop across much of Northern and Eastern Europe during the Middle Ages.

---

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.