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

Ingredients like buttermilk or yogurt flavor and tenderize meat through lactic acid. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025

Some highlights include the Tortilla Española (traditional Spanish omelet, caramelized onions, garlic aioli) and Chicken and Waffles (buttermilk waffles topped with rosemary and more). —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2025

Removing the water content from the buttermilk yields shelf-stable buttermilk solids that can be reconstituted in water in a three to one ratio. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 May 2025

The sample menu starts at 250 pounds a person with a taste of an oyster vichyssoise that uses imperial gold caviar, buttermilk and dill; scallops from the Isle of Skye with pumpkin, nori, and pine créme, and a Cornish turbot made with morteau sausage, thyme, black garlic and yellow wine. —Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 24 May 2025

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