quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ˈkēn-ˌwä 

kē-ˈnō-ə

: an annual herb (Chenopodium quinoa) of the goosefoot 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

Gift your favorite chocolate obsessive Hu’s Dark Chocolate Variety Pack, which offers a sampling of flavors like almond butter and puffed quinoa to crunchy mint. —Kate Kassin, Bon Appétit, 21 Nov. 2023

Is mighty millet on its way to become the new quinoa? —Maria Speck, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023

Feel free to make a grain side dish, like quinoa or rice, instead. —Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 12 Nov. 2023

Unlike slightly toothsome quinoa, the grain cooks up pleasingly supple, which might be appealing to children. —Maria Speck, Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2023

Malibu Farm makes its own beef burgers, but holds the french fries in favor of better-for-you side dishes such as broccoli mash or quinoa rice. —Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Sep. 2023

Whole grains such as brown rice or quinoa can provide healthy carbohydrates. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2023

Consider roasting them as a side or filling them with other vegetables and grains, like quinoa and tomatoes. —Byalexa Mikhail, Fortune Well, 18 Sep. 2023

While grains in a tart may seem counterintuitive, whole grains like quinoa or barley are nutrient power hitters and can add some extra bulk to the meal. —Melissa Breyer, Treehugger, 30 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

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