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

The gray strands of buckwheat are covered in tiny irregularities that help the sauce adhere to the uneven surface. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Crews removed grass over 4,400 square feet, put down mulch and park benches and planted 173 species of native plants, such as deer grass, ceanothus, sticky monkey flower, red buckwheat and manzanita. — Paul Rogers, Chicago Tribune, 8 Sep. 2026

Earthy buckwheat soba noodles are coated in an umami-rich dressing and finished with roasted broccolini and golden-crisp planks of tofu. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026

Whole grains such as oats, quinoa, buckwheat, and sorghum may support a healthier inflammatory response due to their fiber, antioxidant, and phytochemical profiles. — Amy Brownstein, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 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