arborio rice UK /ɑːˈbɔːɹɪ.əʊ ˈɹaɪs/US /ɑɹˈbɔɹi.oʊ ˈɹaɪs/ noun1 •A northern Italian variety of short-grained starchy rice with a white dot at the center of each grain, commonly used in risotto.A tasting of risottos prepared with different rices — including arborio, carnaroli and vialone nano — will be on the menu, at $45 a person: (212) 265-5959. — 2007