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

Plants like forage radish, buckwheat, and alfalfa can also serve as cover crops or green manures to improve soil structure and replenish nutrients in gardens after the growing season has ended. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2025

Gluten-free options like coconut, quinoa, and buckwheat flour offer nutrient-dense alternatives for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. —Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 12 June 2025

There could be lion’s mane mushrooms in miso, or grated cucumber with soy sauce and buckwheat seeds; grazing options include Sicilian green olives and Cetara anchovies (prices range from 4 to 18 euros for food, and 5 to 8 euros for a glass of wine). —Lily Radziemski, New York Times, 29 May 2025

And there’s so much California buckwheat Massa has had to thin out some of the plants and put them in pots for others to take home. —Tribune News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2025

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