Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

buttermilk

noun but·ter·milk \ ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk \
|Updated on: 9 Jun 2018

Definition of buttermilk

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

See buttermilk defined for English-language learners

See buttermilk defined for kids

Recent Examples of buttermilk from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'buttermilk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of buttermilk

15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

BUTTERMILK Defined for English Language Learners

buttermilk

noun

Definition of buttermilk for English Language Learners

  • : the liquid that is left after butter has been made from milk or cream

BUTTERMILK Defined for Kids

buttermilk

noun but·ter·milk \ ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk \

Definition of buttermilk for Students

: the liquid left after churning butter from milk or cream

Medical Dictionary

buttermilk

noun but·ter·milk \ ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk \

medical Definition of buttermilk

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

Learn More about buttermilk

  1. See words that rhyme with buttermilk Spanish Central: Translation of buttermilk Nglish: Translation of buttermilk for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of buttermilk for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttermilk

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up buttermilk? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

voracity

play

the quality or state of being insatiable

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. asylum 'protection from arrest and extradition given especially to political refugees'

  2. insubordinate 'disobedient to authority'

  3. promulgate 'to make known by open declaration'

  4. epochal 'momentous or unparalleled'

  5. clemency 'merciful treatment of someone who could be given harsh punishment'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

buttermilk

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a-closeup-of-a-sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games