buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream

2

: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk

Examples of buttermilk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Whisk together buttermilk and egg in another shallow bowl. —Jasmine Smith, Southern Living, 12 June 2025

Some of the traditional breakfast items on the menu include buttermilk pancakes, bacon, sausage and scrambled eggs. —Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025

But buttermilk powder also has lactic acid, a key tenderizing property. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 June 2025

Expect the brunch crowd to storm the place on the weekends as buttermilk pancakes and banana bread are served alongside huevos rancheros and, yes, more cocktails. —Air Mail, 31 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buttermilk

• ilk
• silk
• whilk
• wilk

Kids Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after the butterfat has been churned from milk or cream

2

: milk from which all or part of the cream has been removed and which has been soured by adding certain bacteria

Medical Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream

2

: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk