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

Sift flour and baking soda over the bowl, pour in the buttermilk and fold together by hand. —Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 22 Apr. 2026

These treats are crowned with streusel, feature brown sugar rather than granulated, and include some sort of sour dairy product, such as buttermilk or sour cream. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Apr. 2026

Then bread the filets with saltines and a splash of buttermilk for a savory yet tangy seafood dinner. —Amanda Favazza, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026

Eternia’s Premium Breakfast Slam offers buttermilk pancakes topped with mint chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate drizzle. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 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