: 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
Dinner is steak or salmon, salad with quinoa and avocado and veggies.
—
Erica Chidi, SELF, 22 Jan. 2026
Yes, quinoa is popular and delicious.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
An easy-to-rationalize indulgence on a random weeknight when everyone was tired and hungry and no one wanted to talk about quinoa.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Cuckoo rice cookers are also capable of preparing other foods, including porridge, quinoa and even pot roast, with various cooking modes and texture settings available.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quinoa
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Erica Chidi, SELF, 22 Jan. 2026
Yes, quinoa is popular and delicious.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026
An easy-to-rationalize indulgence on a random weeknight when everyone was tired and hungry and no one wanted to talk about quinoa.
—Allyson Reedy, Denver Post, 14 Jan. 2026
Cuckoo rice cookers are also capable of preparing other foods, including porridge, quinoa and even pot roast, with various cooking modes and texture settings available.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for quinoa
Cite this Entry
“Quinoa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quinoa. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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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