rind

noun

ˈrīnd How to pronounce rind (audio)
dialectal
ˈrīn How to pronounce rind (audio)
1
: the bark of a tree
2
: a usually hard or tough outer layer : peel, crust
rinded
ˈrīn-dəd How to pronounce rind (audio)
adjective

Examples of rind in a Sentence

the rind of a watermelon the rind of a cheese
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.
Citruses, like bergamot and orange rind, give vanilla a bright and airy lightness, whereas aromatic notes, like lavender and geranium, smell like a garden growing around vanilla orchid vines. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026 Cut Watermelon Once the watermelon rind is cut, things change. — Riley Wofford, Martha Stewart, 20 Aug. 2026 Stand the watermelon upright and carefully slice away the rind, following the curve of the fruit. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026 Ripe cantaloupes should have a slightly sweet smell at the stem end and a rough beige or golden rind. — Anthea Levi, Health, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rind

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German rinda bark, and probably to Old English rendan to rend

First Known Use

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

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

Phrases Containing rind

Rhymes for rind

See All Rhymes for rind

Browse Nearby Words

rincon
rind
rind disease
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rind. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

rind

noun
ˈrīnd How to pronounce rind (audio)
: the bark of a tree
also : a usually hard or tough outer layer (as the skin of a fruit)
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All