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

Alternately add flour mixture and buttermilk to butter mixture, beating on low speed after each addition just until combined. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 May 2026

If your mom is a lover of fluffy biscuits, buttermilk pancakes and packed omelets then take her to brunch at Fixins Soul Kitchen. —Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado april 30, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026

Its brownish-red mahogany color is the result of the chemical reaction between buttermilk, baking soda, and cocoa. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2026

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