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
: flattery
buttered; buttering; butters
: to spread with or as if with butter
Synonyms
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
Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Whisk together powdered sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt, and ¼ teaspoon salt until completely smooth (yields ½ cup).
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2024
The process of clarifying butter removes its milk solids, according to registered dietitian Caroline Thomason.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Jalali suggests adding fruits, vegetables, meats, nut butter, and/or eggs to baby cereal for more flavor and texture diversity.
—Jennifer D'angelo Friedman, Parents, 1 Apr. 2024
For example, peanut and almond butter—two of her go-tos—both contain seven grams of protein in a two tablespoon serving.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 1 Apr. 2024
Once the butter is foaming, add the steak and pan-fry it until it's browned on one side, which should take about 3 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Whisking vigorously, add the butter to the liquid one piece at a time until it has all been incorporated into the sauce.
—David Guas, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Beat butter, sugar, and eggs until somewhat fluffy.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024
Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
The food itself was nothing special: tea and buttered toast and chicken noodle soup from a can.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
But there’s a world beyond just buttering your bread!
—Dana McMahan, The Courier-Journal, 16 Jan. 2024
Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 additions alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating on low speed just until blended after each addition.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2024
Here are three ways to soften butter a little bit faster—and then a few ideas for softening butter even quicker.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2024
The batter is a simple mixture of equal parts flour, sugar, and milk that is poured into a preheated and generously buttered pan.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
Line two 9-inch springform pans with parchment paper and butter the sides.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2023
Generously butter the pan, line it with parchment paper, and butter the paper.
—Sheryl Julian, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
Noun
Melt the butter in a large soup pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
—Katie Workman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2024
Whisk together powdered sugar and remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt, and ¼ teaspoon salt until completely smooth (yields ½ cup).
—Marianne Williams, Southern Living, 2 Apr. 2024
The process of clarifying butter removes its milk solids, according to registered dietitian Caroline Thomason.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 2 Apr. 2024
Jalali suggests adding fruits, vegetables, meats, nut butter, and/or eggs to baby cereal for more flavor and texture diversity.
—Jennifer D'angelo Friedman, Parents, 1 Apr. 2024
For example, peanut and almond butter—two of her go-tos—both contain seven grams of protein in a two tablespoon serving.
—Audrey Bruno, SELF, 1 Apr. 2024
Once the butter is foaming, add the steak and pan-fry it until it's browned on one side, which should take about 3 minutes.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Mar. 2024
Whisking vigorously, add the butter to the liquid one piece at a time until it has all been incorporated into the sauce.
—David Guas, Saveur, 28 Mar. 2024
Beat butter, sugar, and eggs until somewhat fluffy.
—Rita Nader Heikenfeld, The Enquirer, 22 Mar. 2024
Verb
A little can go a long way with a combo, which comes with your choice of protein, a side and buttered hot water cornbread.
—Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
The food itself was nothing special: tea and buttered toast and chicken noodle soup from a can.
—Emily Heil, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
But there’s a world beyond just buttering your bread!
—Dana McMahan, The Courier-Journal, 16 Jan. 2024
Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture in 3 additions alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beating on low speed just until blended after each addition.
—Pam Lolley, Southern Living, 26 Jan. 2024
Here are three ways to soften butter a little bit faster—and then a few ideas for softening butter even quicker.
—Molly Allen, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2024
The batter is a simple mixture of equal parts flour, sugar, and milk that is poured into a preheated and generously buttered pan.
—Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023
Line two 9-inch springform pans with parchment paper and butter the sides.
—Aleksandra Crapanzano, WSJ, 6 Dec. 2023
Generously butter the pan, line it with parchment paper, and butter the paper.
—Sheryl Julian, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Aug. 2023
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.
Dictionary Entries Near butter
Cite this Entry
“Butter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butter. Accessed 17 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
butter
1 of 2 noun
but·ter
ˈbət-ər 
1
: a solid yellow fatty food made by churning milk or cream
2
: a substance resembling butter in texture or use
apple butter
buttery
adjective
-ə-rē
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
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