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

The powder can be mixed with buttermilk and mayonnaise to create the dressing. — Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 June 2026

Make a simple cake batter using self-rising flour, eggs, buttermilk, shortening, and sugar. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 June 2026

With more shaking or churning, these grains grow and separate from the watery, naturally low-fat buttermilk. — Rosemary Trout, Scientific American, 27 June 2026

The buttermilk tang from the ranch seasoning packet is what transforms plain chicken tenders into something delightful that the whole family will love. — Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 25 June 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