whole grain

noun

plural whole grains

: an unmilled grain (such as wheat, rice, or barley) having its bran, germ, and endosperm intact

Start with a whole grain, such as brown rice, millet, or whole wheat.

—Cynthia Lair

Fill half your plate with a variety of vegetables and fruit. Add 20 to 30 grams of protein as well as carbs like sweet potatoes, quinoa, beans and whole grains.

—Emily Marrison

also : a grain that has been ground or processed but not hulled or refined

Processed whole grains are whole grains that have been cracked (as in cracked wheat bread), rolled (as in rolled oat cereal), crushed or ground (as in whole-wheat flour and bulgur) or extruded (as in whole-wheat pasta). They provide the same nutrients found in the original kernel of grain.

—Anastasia Schepers

Whole-grain flours have a more complex taste and create a heartier texture than refined white flours because they include the bran and germ.

—Chicago Sun-Times

Examples of whole grain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The main structure is built on a daily intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein. —Sheah Rarback, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026

Opt for citrus, berries, oats, whole grains and vegetables. —Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026

Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 24 Apr. 2026

Phytic acid is a natural substance found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes. —Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2026

Use complex carbohydrate sources like whole grains, beans, legumes, and leafy vegetables to provide sustained energy and essential nutrients. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 23 Apr. 2026

Following the recommendations of the Harvard Medical School, as well as centuries of Eastern thought, dishes at Shamadi, the main restaurant, emphasize vegetables of various colors, whole grains, proteins (including fresh local seafood), and alkaline foods. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Apr. 2026

Friday, April 24, Chicken and pickle sandwich with whole grain bun, wedge potatoes, beans, Mandarin oranges, milk. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

Young lung cancer patients ate more servings of dark green vegetables, legumes and whole grains compared to the average U.S. adult, the researchers found. —Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above