buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream

2

: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk

Examples of buttermilk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Heirloom produce, honey and eggs are picked and collected right outside your window and become part of the buttermilk biscuits with house honey butter, brisket hash with jalapeño hollandaise and greenhouse lettuce scrambles. — Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 3 Aug. 2026

Whisk together cornmeal mix, buttermilk, oil, and egg in a large bowl. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026

Softer shades like sage, clay, and buttermilk age gracefully and maintain their appeal over time. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 30 July 2026

Beat in half of buttermilk, another 1/3 of the flour mixture, remaining buttermilk, and remaining flour mixture until just combined. — Martha Stewart, 27 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buttermilk

• ilk
• silk
• whilk
• wilk

Kids Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after the butterfat has been churned from milk or cream

2

: milk from which all or part of the cream has been removed and which has been soured by adding certain bacteria

Medical Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

1

: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream

2

: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk