1. a grain of barley
2. a unit of measurement equal to one-third of an inch
Usage: traditional

Examples

• The farmer examined each barleycorn before planting.
• Barleycorns were scattered across the barn floor.
• The old cobbler measured the shoe using barleycorns.
• Three barleycorns equal one inch in the traditional system.
• The recipe called for pearl barley made from whole barleycorns.
• He found a single barleycorn in his pocket after visiting the mill.