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noun Uncommon

Reuben

ROO-buhn

Reuben (noun) means a grilled sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a creamy dressing, usually on rye bread. Example: “He ordered a reuben with a side of fries.”

noun
1
A grilled sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a creamy dressing, usually on rye bread.
"He ordered a reuben with a side of fries."

How to use Reuben

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA classic deli sandwich of corned beef, sauerkraut, and melted cheese.

Common pairings
a reuben sandwich order a reuben

Word forms

Reubens plural

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Test yourself on “Reuben” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He ordered a _____ with a side of fries.

Etymology

The sandwich's exact origin is disputed, but it's widely linked to early 20th-century American delis and named after a customer or chef called Reuben.

· First attested 1900

Class of 1900 Reuben joined the language around 1900.
See the full Class of 1900 →

Rhymes for Reuben

See all rhymes for Reuben →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Reuben” mean?

The word “Reuben” means a grilled sandwich made with corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and a creamy dressing, usually on rye bread. In plain terms, a classic deli sandwich of corned beef, sauerkraut, and melted cheese.

How do you pronounce “Reuben”?

“Reuben” is pronounced ROO-buhn (/ˈɹu.bən/ in IPA).

How do you use “Reuben” in a sentence?

Here is “Reuben” used in a sentence: “He ordered a reuben with a side of fries.”

What part of speech is “Reuben”?

“Reuben” is a noun.

Where does the word “Reuben” come from?

The word “Reuben” dates back to around 1900. The sandwich's exact origin is disputed, but it's widely linked to early 20th-century American delis and named after a customer or chef called Reuben.

Is “Reuben” a common word?

“Reuben” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial