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

The formula features vegan proteins derived from quinoa to strengthen strands and boost overall vitality, plus a bond-fortifying technology to target hair most prone to breakage. —Jessie Quinn, Glamour, 11 June 2025

Serve with a side that can soak up the yummy sauce: mashed potatoes, rice, orzo, quinoa, or egg noodles. —Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 5 June 2025

Use rice alternatives: The organization's testing found alternatives such as quinoa, barley and couscous contain lower levels of total heavy metals. —Jordan Freiman, CBS News, 15 May 2025

That same philosophy infuses the entire menu, from the show stopping sea bream sashimi for two to the unexpected green quinoa brightened with green curry, coconut milk, and coriander. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 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