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

Landscapers place hundreds of native buckwheat, sages and other plants on top of the wildlife crossing. —Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

The morning menu of crepes, salmon on buckwheat blinis, super smoothies, and acai bowls flips to French-Austrian bistro classics later on, including crispy artichoke, coq au vin with spaetzle, and a showpiece bouillabaisse—plus desserts such as a baked apple and a baba with orange sorbet. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

The noodles are custom-made for the restaurant by one of the Bay Area’s largest noodle makers and are made with wheat and a small amount of buckwheat to create a chewy, bouncy texture. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026

Instead, use easier-to-find soba made with both buckwheat and wheat flour, which can be cooked to al dente before adding to your soup. —Kate Williams, AJC.com, 18 Jan. 2026

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