whey

noun

ˈ(h)wā 

: the watery part of milk that is separated from the coagulable part or curd especially in the process of making cheese and that is rich in lactose, minerals, and vitamins and contains lactalbumin and traces of fat

wheylike

ˈ(h)wā-ˌlīk 

adjective

Examples of whey in a Sentence

The curd has separated from the whey.

Recent Examples on the Web

Chains with beverages and acai bowls include Better Buzz Coffee Roasters, with a chocolate whey protein bowl and Nektar, which offers Protein Cleanse, six bottles with a total of 66 grams of protein to be consumed in a 12-hour period. —Fielding Buck, Oc Register, 22 Jan. 2026

Speak with your healthcare provider before taking whey protein supplements and discuss ways to lower your cholesterol. —Heather Jones, Verywell Health, 20 Jan. 2026

Drinking whey protein shakes or using other high-quality protein supplements can help fill the gap. —Lindsey Desoto, Health, 6 Jan. 2026

Smaller and finer curds are more abundant and enmeshed with the surrounding whey, which made for a unique texture that tasters favored. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hwæg; akin to Middle Dutch wey whey

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing whey

• whey-face

Rhymes for whey

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

whey

noun

ˈhwā 

ˈwā

: the watery part of milk that separates after the milk has soured and thickened especially in the process of making cheese compare curd sense 1

Medical Definition

whey

noun

ˈhwā  ˈwā 

: the serum or watery part of milk that is separated from the coagulable part or curd especially in the process of making cheese and that is rich in lactose, minerals, and vitamins and contains lactalbumin and traces of fat