flour

noun \ ˈflau̇(-ə)r \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

Definition of flour

1 : a product consisting of finely milled wheat; also : a similar product made from another grain or food product (such as dried potatoes or fish)

2 : a fine soft powder

—

flourless

adjective

—

floury

play \ˈflau̇(-ə)r-ē\ adjective

See flour defined for English-language learners

See flour defined for kids

Examples of flour in a Sentence

a five-pound bag of flour
mix the two flours together

Recent Examples of flour from the Web

In a small sauce pan, combine the water, chickpea flour and lemon zest.

— Cincinnati.com, "A gluten-free recipe for big fans of ... gluten," 12 July 2018
Beside Pillsbury, Brynwood is also buying Hungry Jack pancake mixes, White Lily flour and cornmeal, Jim Dandy grits and Martha White cornbread among other baked good products, as part of the deal, the company said.

— greg trotter, chicagotribune.com, "Private equity firm to buy Pillsbury and other brands for $375M, open Chicago HQ," 9 July 2018
Tahini replaces flour and adds a nutty nuance to beautifully dense loaves, while date molasses lends a subtle sweetness and deep bronze color ($8).

— ann trieger kurland, BostonGlobe.com, "She’s on a tahini mission," 9 July 2018
Chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk are breaded with cornflake cereal, flour and eggs.

— hannah steinkopf-frank, RedEye Chicago, "10 cereal dishes that take childhood favorites out of the breakfast bowl," 6 July 2018
In a separate mixing bowl, combine the remaining warm water from the bacalao pot with the flour and baking powder.

— illyanna maisonet, SFChronicle.com, "Bacalaitos as familial memory and penance," 5 July 2018
Add the flour and cook for 4 minutes on low heat, stirring with a wooden spoon.

— claire perez, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Burt & Max's decadent mac and cheese is better than Mom's," 22 June 2018
She was forced to move with her family in 1941 to a Jewish ghetto with only a sack of potatoes, some flour and a few belongings.

— danica kirka, Washington Post, "Gena Turgel, Holocaust survivor who cared for Anne Frank, dies at 95," 14 June 2018
Born in Krakow, Poland as Gena Goldfinger on Feb. 1, 1923, Turgel and her family were forced to move into a Jewish ghetto with only a sack of potatoes, some flour and a few belongings in late 1941.

— NBC News, "Holocaust survivor Gena Turgel, consoler of Anne Frank, dies," 10 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'flour.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of flour

Middle English — more at flower

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

flour

verb

Definition of flour

floured; flouring; flours

transitive verb

: to coat with or as if with flour

intransitive verb

: to break up into particles

See flour defined for English-language learners

Examples of flour in a Sentence

The fish should be lightly floured before it's fried.

Recent Examples of flour from the Web

For the doughnut dough: Whisk together flours, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, baking soda and spices.

— lucas aulbach, The Courier-Journal, "Where to find deals and freebies on National Donut Day in Louisville," 31 May 2018
Dump out mixture onto lightly floured table and form into a 7-inch round circle.

— judy buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Honoring dietary restrictions can be tricky," 2 Mar. 2018
Lightly flour a work surface and turn out the dough.

— San Antonio Express-News, "Recipe: New Orleans King Cake," 24 Jan. 2018
Pour batter into two greased and floured cake pans.

— teri mena, sacbee, "Recipe Mailbox: Simple chocolate cake not a sin | The Sacramento Bee," 23 Jan. 2018
Transfer dough to well-floured peel and stretch into 13-inch round.

— debbi snook, cleveland.com, "Thin-Crust Pizza from America's Test Kitchen (recipe)," 13 Dec. 2017
Punch the dough and roll out on floured surface to 1/3-inch thickness.

— nancy miller, The Courier-Journal, "Butchertown Grocery pastry chef teases autumn's best flavors, desserts," 3 Oct. 2017
Thaw pastry and roll out on lightly floured surface, and bake according to directions. While puff pastry bakes, whisk together the egg yolks with sugar until frothy. 2.

— philip potempa, Post-Tribune, "Memories of Gary's home delivery dairies remain," 22 Sep. 2017
For extra assurance for a clean removal, grease and flour the parchment as well.

— judy buchenot, Naperville Sun, "Naperville woman believes it's always a good time for cake," 5 Sep. 2017

First Known Use of flour

circa 1657

in the meaning defined at transitive sense

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

FLOUR Defined for English Language Learners

flour

noun

Definition of flour for English Language Learners

: powder made from a grain (especially wheat) that is used in cooking for making bread, cakes, etc.

flour

verb

Definition of flour for English Language Learners

: to cover (something) with flour

FLOUR Defined for Kids

flour

noun \ ˈflau̇r \

Definition of flour for Students

: finely ground wheat or other food product

whole wheat flour

potato flour

Learn More about flour

See words that rhyme with flour Spanish Central: Translation of flour Nglish: Translation of flour for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of flour for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about flour

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flour

Definition of flour

flourless

floury

Examples of flour in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flour from the Web

Origin and Etymology of flour

Other Food Terms

flour

Definition of flour

Examples of flour in a Sentence

Recent Examples of flour from the Web

First Known Use of flour

Phrases Related to FLOUR

Related Phrases

FLOUR Defined for English Language Learners

flour

Definition of flour for English Language Learners

flour

Definition of flour for English Language Learners

FLOUR Defined for Kids

flour

Definition of flour for Students

Learn More about flour

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