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

Add buttermilk, oil, and vanilla; beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until well blended, 1 to 2 minutes. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025

Taco Bell’s crispy chicken is white meat marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated in breadcrumbs and tortilla chips. —Helena Wegner, Miami Herald, 14 Oct. 2025

With mixer on low, beat in flour mixture, buttermilk, and vanilla until combined. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 14 Oct. 2025

Years ago, owner Shannon Paul had a vision to create a perfect buttermilk biscuit for Greater Cincinnati. —Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer, 10 Oct. 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