buttermilk

noun but·ter·milk \ ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk \

Updated on: 15 Apr 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

Louis Meyer was parched after winning the 1936 race and asked for buttermilk in victory lane.

— scott horner, Indianapolis Star, "Everything you need to know about the Indy 500 2018," 9 Apr. 2018
The raw fish is served in a sweet-sour kombucha tea and dotted with gelatinous sea grapes, cubes of pickled, tart green apple with dollops of tangy buttermilk spiked with fermented jalapeño and orange chutney.

— victoria pesce elliott, miamiherald, "Why this restaurant earned our first ‘Exceptional’ review in two years. (Hint: its talented tattooed chef) | Miami Herald," 5 Apr. 2018
Liporace’s tangy buttermilk schmear is homemade and has a silky texture akin to softened butter.

— jean trinh, Los Angeles Magazine, "A Former New Jerseyan’s Pop-Up Is Serving Fresh Bagels Right Out of the Oven," 26 Mar. 2018
For the next few weeks, visitors can nosh on a limited menu of some of Rhea’s most popular items — including the buttermilk fried-chicken sandwich — and test and buy Glossier’s popular products.

— laura compton, San Francisco Chronicle, "Style Radar: Glossier, Joan Oloff and Armarium are popping up," 15 Mar. 2018
Nothing goes better with clean, dewy skin than buttermilk fried chicken.

— sarah spellings, The Cut, "This Is Glossier’s Most Unlikely Collaboration Yet," 15 Mar. 2018
Food specialties: Georgacopoulos said besides being known for the complimentary doughnuts, Juicy-O takes pride in their pancakes (classic buttermilk or decadent like the maple bacon bourbon) and savory dishes.

— jane donahue, Naperville Sun, "Treat yourself to Juicy-O, including free doughnuts," 13 Mar. 2018
Stir in sweet potato-buttermilk using a wooden spoon just until dough begins to form.

— Country Living, "Sweet Potato Biscuits," 9 Mar. 2018
The first course Adrienne: Spoon bread, sea urchin, buttermilk dashi, ham, caviar and wheat tuile.

— luis miguel echegaray, SI.com, "Talkin' Top Chef Finale: A Winner Is Decided," 8 Mar. 2018

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

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

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

buttermilk

Definition of buttermilk

Recent Examples of buttermilk from the Web

First Known Use of buttermilk

BUTTERMILK Defined for English Language Learners

buttermilk

Definition of buttermilk for English Language Learners

BUTTERMILK Defined for Kids

buttermilk

Definition of buttermilk for Students

Medical Dictionary

buttermilk

medical Definition of buttermilk

Learn More about buttermilk

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

traduce

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Words from Letters in the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Words We're Watching: 'Bluebeard,' the Verb

Where 'Cliff-hangers' Come From

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

Words of the Year: 1066

Literally

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

Word Games

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

buttermilk

Definition of buttermilk

Recent Examples of buttermilk from the Web

First Known Use of buttermilk

BUTTERMILK Defined for English Language Learners

buttermilk

Definition of buttermilk for English Language Learners

BUTTERMILK Defined for Kids

buttermilk

Definition of buttermilk for Students

Medical Dictionary

buttermilk

medical Definition of buttermilk

Learn More about buttermilk

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes