buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk How to pronounce buttermilk (audio)
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 limited-time breakfast includes four green buttermilk pancakes topped with creamy cheesecake mousse, Girl Scout Thin Mints pieces, and whipped topping. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 This wintry wedge combines buttermilk, lemon juice, and black pepper for a bright dressing, topped with pomegranate seeds and fresh chives. Sunset Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 The cake uses buttermilk, which lends tenderness to the crumb, and vanilla and almond extracts for a familiar combination of flavor. Micah A Leal, Southern Living, 9 Feb. 2024 That said, the flavor is ordinary and lacks the tang of real buttermilk. Jolene Thym, The Mercury News, 11 Jan. 2024 This version is tangy with buttermilk and spiced with a hint of nutmeg. Yewande Komolafe, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 Add buttermilk, and mix on low speed until combined, about 2 minutes. Liv Dansky, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 Our Test Kitchen recommends thinning the frosting with buttermilk to echo the flavor of the sour cream. Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024 Think of a spritz of lime over a coconut curry, the jolt of vinegar in a creamy dressing, or the tang from buttermilk in pancake batter. Zola Gregory, Bon Appétit, 20 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'buttermilk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buttermilk was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near buttermilk

Cite this Entry

“Buttermilk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buttermilk. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

buttermilk

noun
but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk How to pronounce buttermilk (audio)
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 How to pronounce buttermilk (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on buttermilk

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