butter

1 of 2

noun

but·​ter ˈbə-tər How to pronounce butter (audio)
1
: a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food
2
: a buttery substance: such as
a
: any of various fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures
b
: a creamy food spread
especially : one made of ground roasted nuts
peanut butter
3
butterless adjective

butter

2 of 2

verb

buttered; buttering; butters

transitive verb

: to spread with or as if with butter

Examples of butter in a Sentence

Noun Would you like some butter for your potato? Sauté the onions in melted butter. Verb butter a piece of bread
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Place hot sauce, butter and 2 tablespoons agave in a medium saucepan. Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 21 Sep. 2023 Add butter and drippings; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, about 10 times. Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2023 Figure about 1 tablespoon of butter per 4 ounces of crab meat. Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Sep. 2023 Creating a healthy high-fat eating plan isn’t a daily parade of butter and bacon. Sarah Garone, Health, 18 Sep. 2023 My current favorite pairing is Erewhon’s butter popcorn with a glass of our 2020 The Hilt Cuvée Fleur Estate Chardonnay. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023 While the original cake was all butter, a careful tasting as well as a scan of the ingredients label confirmed that the Whole Foods version relied on oil. Olga Massov, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023 Add almonds and capers and cook, stirring frequently, until butter is deep golden brown and almonds are toasted, 4 to 6 minutes. America's Test Kitchen, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2023 Canned pumpkin: Yes, these muffins use the entire can! Eggs and butter: These refrigerator staples go into your muffin batter. Karen Schroeder-Rankin, Southern Living, 15 Sep. 2023
Verb
With mixer running on low speed, gradually add flour mixture and milk, in alternating batches, to butter mixture, starting and ending with flour and making sure each addition is fully incorporated before adding the next. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 13 Sep. 2023 Generously butter a quarter sheet pan (9-by-13-inches). Sheryl Julian, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023 Red Coconut Curry With Sockeye Salmon Leaner fish like wild salmon become tender and butter soft when poached in this fragrant Thai-style curry, where full-fat coconut milk adds richness and flavor. Amanda Shapiro, Bon Appétit, 8 Aug. 2023 Just about anything, from kiwis and strawberries to butter and mushrooms, can be evenly sliced, so don't be afraid to get creative and go beyond a standard Cobb salad with this gadget. Wendy Vazquez, Southern Living, 20 July 2023 Make your shortcakes To make the shortcakes, butter a cast iron skillet or 9x13-inch baking pan (or coat with cooking spray). Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2023 Others tell you to butter the bread, then sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar. Emma Laperruque, Bon Appétit, 25 July 2023 Line the bottom of the pan with a circle of parchment paper, and butter the paper. G. Daniela Galarza, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023 Lightly butter a 9-x 13-inch casserole or baking pan. Robin Asbell, Southern Living, 5 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'butter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English butere, from Latin butyrum, from Greek boutyron, from bous cow + tyros cheese; akin to Avestan tūiri- curds — more at cow

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of butter was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near butter

Cite this Entry

“Butter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butter. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

butter

1 of 2 noun
but·​ter ˈbət-ər How to pronounce butter (audio)
1
: a solid yellow fatty food made by churning milk or cream
2
: a substance resembling butter in texture or use
apple butter
buttery
-ə-rē
adjective

butter

2 of 2 verb
: to spread with or as if with butter
Etymology

Noun

Old English butere "butter," from Latin butyrum (same meaning), from Greek boutyron, from bous "ox, cow" and tyros "cheese" — related to buffalo

Medical Definition

butter

noun
but·​ter ˈbət-ər How to pronounce butter (audio)
1
: a solid emulsion of fat globules, air, and water made by churning milk or cream and used as food
2
: a buttery substance
especially : any of various fatty oils remaining nearly solid at ordinary temperatures

More from Merriam-Webster on butter

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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