butterfat

noun

but·​ter·​fat ˈbə-tər-ˌfat How to pronounce butterfat (audio)
: the natural fat of milk and chief constituent of butter consisting essentially of a mixture of glycerides (such as those derived from butyric, capric, caproic, and caprylic acids)

Examples of butterfat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web In 2021, Food & Wine magazine named Rockwell the best ice cream in Utah, at least in part due to using 16% butterfat and far less air, making for a dense and delicious blend. Heather L. King, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 July 2023 Made in small batches daily from Vermont cream, the ice cream is 16 percent butterfat, extra-creamy with little air whipped in. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 Clocking in at 14 percent butterfat, the ice cream is made with milk from New England farms. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 The small-batch ice cream here is custardy and high in butterfat, made from the farm’s own milk and cream. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 According to Novel owner Brandon Douglas, the Arizona French Fry flavor is made with actual fries whipped into a high butterfat cream and finished with a hint of salt. Mike Snider, The Arizona Republic, 13 July 2023 The Chaney's herd of Jersey cows produce milk that packs a punch with higher butterfat, protein and calcium than conventional milk. Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 26 July 2023 Gelato typically has about 10% butterfat and 20-30% overrun [3] while ice cream can have up to 16% butterfat and 30-50% overrun [4]. Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2017 Most American butter contains 80% butterfat while European-style butter contains 82%. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2023 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of butterfat was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near butterfat

Cite this Entry

“Butterfat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfat. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

butterfat

noun
but·​ter·​fat -ˌfat How to pronounce butterfat (audio)
: the natural fat of milk from which butter is made

Medical Definition

butterfat

noun
but·​ter·​fat -ˌfat How to pronounce butterfat (audio)
: the natural fat of milk and chief constituent of butter consisting essentially of a mixture of glycerides (as butyrin, olein, and palmitin)

More from Merriam-Webster on butterfat

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!