barley

noun bar·ley \ˈbär-lē\

: a kind of grain used for food and to make beer and whiskey; also : the plant on which this grain grows

Full Definition of BARLEY

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum and especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns and three spikelets at each joint of the rachis; also : its seed used especially in malt beverages, breakfast foods, and stock feeds

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Origin of BARLEY

Middle English barly, from Old English bærlic of barley; akin to Old English bere barley, Latin far spelt

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with BARLEY

charlie, Charlie, Farley, gnarly, Harley, marly, parlay, parley, snarly, yarely

BARLEY Defined for Kids

barley

noun bar·ley \ˈbär-lē\

Definition of BARLEY for Kids

: a cereal grass grown for its grain which is used mostly to feed farm animals or make malt

Medical Dictionary

barley

noun bar·ley \ˈbär-lē\

Medical Definition of BARLEY

: a cereal grass (genus Hordeum, especially H. vulgare) having the flowers in dense spikes with long awns; also : its seed used in malt beverages and in breakfast foods and stock feeds