: 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
Throw them in your lunchtime salads or mix them with brown rice, spelt, barley and quinoa.
—
Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
This could look like a mix of fibrous greens, black beans roasted potatoes, quinoa or brown rice.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Substitute the rice for another grain, such as quinoa.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
While generally safe for most healthy adults, there are some instances when quinoa should be limited or avoided.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quinoa
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Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 12 Sep. 2025
This could look like a mix of fibrous greens, black beans roasted potatoes, quinoa or brown rice.
—Caroline C. Boyle, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Substitute the rice for another grain, such as quinoa.
—Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 10 Sep. 2025
While generally safe for most healthy adults, there are some instances when quinoa should be limited or avoided.
—Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for quinoa
Cite this Entry
“Quinoa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quinoa. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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