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 creamy, six layered dessert has buttermilk-pecan cake drizzled with espresso syrup with bourbon-espresso-vanilla-pecan Bavarian, and chocolate-espresso-pecan praline crumbs on top. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2025

Bojangles is putting a seasonal twist on its famous buttermilk biscuits. —Tanasia Kenney, Charlotte Observer, 2 Oct. 2025

Afterward, stop by Panhandle Cone & Coffee and sample one of the creative ice cream flavors like buttermilk huckleberry or strawberry, lime, and avocado. —Laura Beausire, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2025

One of the classics is the pancake cake, buttermilk pancake batter made into a cake, served by the slice and topped with honey butter. —Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 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