butterfat

noun

but·​ter·​fat ˈbə-tər-ˌfat 

: 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

Her signature style combines the best elements of high-butterfat American-style ice cream and South Asian kulfi, a denser frozen treat with no air churned in. —Beth Kracklauer, Outside, 27 Feb. 2026

Both Melt and Salt & Straw offer creamy and rich artisanal ice cream with high butterfat contents. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Feb. 2026

American-style butter typically contains a lower percentage of butterfat and a higher percentage of water than European-style butter. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 16 Feb. 2026

Breeding decisions made as recently as a few months ago—when butterfat prices were at a peak—will come to fruition only over the next three or four years, as those calves are born, mature into cows, and start producing the super-rich milk of their genetic destiny. —Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for butterfat

• acrobat
• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat
• guzerat

Kids Definition

butterfat

noun

but·​ter·​fat -ˌfat 

: the natural fat of milk from which butter is made

Medical Definition

butterfat

noun

but·​ter·​fat -ˌfat 

: the natural fat of milk and chief constituent of butter consisting essentially of a mixture of glycerides (as butyrin, olein, and palmitin)