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

She’s known for having an exceptionally deft hand with breads like sourdough, buckwheat, and rosemary focaccia. — Kyle Beechey, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Aug. 2026

Menu descriptions arrive as terse little trios—tuna, foie gras and shiso; cuttlefish, buckwheat and celtuce; turbot, lettuce and sake—but the cooking behind them is anything but abbreviated. — Lela London, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

Farro, buckwheat and oats also add protein to bowls, breakfasts and side dishes. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 9, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

In a small study, healthy participants who consumed wheat bread made with 50% buckwheat had significantly lower post-meal blood sugar levels than those who consumed regular wheat bread. — Brittany Lubeck, Verywell Health, 2 July 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