buckwheat

noun

buck·​wheat ˈbək-ˌ(h)wēt 

1

: any of a genus (Fagopyrum of the family Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family) of Eurasian herbs with alternate leaves, clusters of apetalous pinkish-white flowers, and triangular seeds

especially : either of two plants (F. esculentum and F. tartaricum) cultivated for their edible seeds

2

: the seed of a buckwheat used as a cereal grain

Examples of buckwheat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His positively pretty take on the ubiquitous street snack pani puri, a crispy shell with assorted fillings and a spiced water, for example, involves a delicate buckwheat tart cradling zippy passionfruit and apple that’s adorned with tiny edible flowers. —Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 31 Aug. 2025

Include nectar sources, such as lantana for adults, and host plants like native milkweed, California lilacs, buckwheat or dill for caterpillars. —Tina Chen, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025

To further honor Indigenous cuisine, the chefs prepared a buckwheat flour Navajo frybread, with a California wild rice and pickled blackberry side dish accompanying it. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2025

Of course, the pancakes are the big draw, including buttermilk and buckwheat flapjacks stuffed with fruit. —Caroline Eubanks, Travel + Leisure, 29 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch boekweit, from Middle Dutch boecweit, from boec- (akin to Old High German buohha beech tree) + weit wheat — more at beech

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buckwheat

• amit
• athlete
• backseat
• blackfeet
• broadsheet
• browbeat
• compete
• compleat
• complete
• conceit
• concrete
• crabmeat

Kids Definition

buckwheat

noun

buck·​wheat ˈbək-ˌhwēt 

-ˌwēt

: either of two plants with white or greenish flowers that are grown for their dark triangular seeds which are used as a cereal grain

also : the seeds of a buckwheat