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

The powder can be mixed with buttermilk and mayonnaise to create the dressing. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

In 1949, a Nebraska plumbing contractor named Steve Henson was working in Anchorage, Alaska and concocted a salad dressing out of buttermilk, mayonnaise, and herbs to help feed his crew on remote job sites. — Scott Simon, NPR, 27 June 2026

With more shaking or churning, these grains grow and separate from the watery, naturally low-fat buttermilk. — Rosemary Trout, Scientific American, 27 June 2026

The mix of buttermilk, mayonnaise, herbs, and spices has since become not only America's favorite salad dressing but a popular flavor internationally. — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 25 June 2026

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