quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ˈkēn-ˌwä 

kē-ˈnō-ə

: an annual herb (Chenopodium quinoa) of the amaranth family that is native to the Andean highlands and is cultivated for its starchy seeds which are used as food and ground into flour

also : its seeds

Examples of quinoa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Peanut butter, broth, quinoa, granola bars, smoothies, regular yogurt, and nut milks are just a few items commonly considered protein-rich that generally don't contain high amounts of protein. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2025

This recipe from chef-owner Geeta Bansal of Irvine’s Clay Oven restaurant enhances the summer fruit with turmeric, serrano chile and cumin for a flavorful take that can be served with basmati rice, quinoa or couscous. —Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2025

Like her relative quinoa, amaranth is technically a pseudocereal and is naturally gluten-free. —Michael Shaikh june 25, Literary Hub, 25 June 2025

And now for something completely different: Meli, the first 100% quinoa beer in the States. —Jed Gottlieb, Boston Herald, 21 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quinoa

• boa
• noa
• noah
• shoah
• toa
• bryozoa
• metazoa
• polyzoa
• protozoa
• spermatozoa

Kids Definition

quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ki-ˈnō-ə 

: a goosefoot that occurs in the Andes and has starchy seeds that are used as food and ground into flour

also : its seeds