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

For the pillow particular, there’s a menu that includes buckwheat, down, foam, maternity—even a NASA pillow developed for astronauts suffering from neck or back pain. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

Saint Catherine’s lace (Eriogonum giganteum) Saint Catherine’s lace is the biggest of more than 250 species of buckwheat native to California, and all of them are summer bloomers. —Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026

Even higher-protein grains like farro or buckwheat generally remain below or around quinoa's level unless specifically fortified. —Lynn Andriani, Martha Stewart, 30 May 2026

Chef Eric Skokan and his wife, Jill, grow more than 250 heirloom and heritage varieties of vegetables, along with grains like einkorn, rye and buckwheat that are cleaned and milled on-site. —Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 27 May 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