Definition

Noun 1. A European twining plant whose flowers are used chiefly to flavor malt liquors; cultivated in America: This is the primary definition, referring to a specific perennial climbing plant (Humulus lupulus). Its female flowers, called "cones," are used primarily to impart bitterness, flavor, and aroma to beer.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The brewery sources its common hops from a local farm in the Pacific Northwest.
  • For this traditional ale recipe, you will need a specific variety of common hops for bittering.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical/Latin Name: The term "common hops" is the common name for the species . In technical or botanical contexts, the Latin name is often used.
  • While there are many cultivars, they all belong to the species Humulus lupulus, commonly known as common hops.

Variants and Related Words

• Hop (n): The singular form, often used to refer to the dried flowers (cones) of the common hops plant used in brewing.
  • This beer is brewed with aromatic hops.
• Hops (n, pl): The more frequently used plural form, referring to the flowers themselves, especially after harvesting and processing for brewing.
  • The farmer is harvesting this year's crop of hops.

Synonyms

• Humulus lupulus: The scientific (Latin) name for the plant.
• Hop plant: A more general descriptive term.

Noun

1. European twining plant whose flowers are used chiefly to flavor malt liquors; cultivated in America