quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ˈkēn-ˌwä 

kē-ˈnō-ə

: an annual herb (Chenopodium quinoa) of the amaranth family that is native to the Andean highlands and is cultivated for its starchy seeds which are used as food and ground into flour

also : its seeds

Examples of quinoa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Whole grains like quinoa and farro paired with legumes like chickpeas and beans make for a filling, high-protein meal with plenty of fiber. —Alice Callahan, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2025

If your current diet is low in whole grains, try experimenting with different sources, like quinoa, teff, sorghum, buckwheat, and barley. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 21 Apr. 2025

Similar in popularity of super grains like South American quinoa and West African fonio, Samuelsson is focused on how teff can have global influence. —Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Apr. 2025

Supplement with some high-fiber beans or a high-fiber whole grain like quinoa for a more robust meal. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 16 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quinoa

• boa
• noa
• noah
• shoah
• toa
• bryozoa
• metazoa
• polyzoa
• protozoa
• spermatozoa

Kids Definition

quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ki-ˈnō-ə 

: a goosefoot that occurs in the Andes and has starchy seeds that are used as food and ground into flour

also : its seeds