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

Traditional buttermilk refers to the liquid remaining after butter is churned and contains live probiotic cultures. —Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 23 Feb. 2026

And for dessert, there’s a cast-iron apple crisp big enough for two, with buttermilk ice cream and brown-sugar caramel. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Similar to a chess or buttermilk pie, this pie turns grits from a breakfast staple into dessert. —Jenna Sims, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026

In addition to all the usual suspects (buttermilk, garlic, and onion), there is Parmesan. —Sam Stone, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 Feb. 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