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

Lightly brush the dough with buttermilk and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar over. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Buttermilk Ranch The buttermilk base gives this dressing a tart and tangy flavor. — Lauren O'Connor, HEALTH, 2 Sep. 2026

House recipes include bacon red onion jam, buttermilk herb mayo and peanut slaw. — Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 1 Sep. 2026

To substitute sour cream for buttermilk, simply thin the sour cream to a thick but pourable consistency using milk or water (don’t overdo it). — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 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