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

Though technically a seed, quinoa is enjoyed as a whole grain. —Kirsten Nunez, Martha Stewart, 20 June 2026

Beans, whole grains, seeds and nuts may carry compounds that quietly support the gut barrier rather than work against it. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2026

Key Takeaways Eating leafy green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, berries, legumes, oily fish, and more may lower LDL cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 16 June 2026

Swap one low-fiber food for a high-fiber alternative each week and mix it up across fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

Small swaps like plain yogurt, whole grains, and vegetables can improve breakfast quality without major diet changes. —Brianna Tobritzhofer, Health, 12 June 2026

Tuesday, June 23, Country Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, whole grain bread, Romaine salad and tomatoes, pears, milk. —Ramona Sentinel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026

Phytates in whole grains and oxalates in spinach bind to iron and zinc as well. —Allison Palmer, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2026

The key is building meals around high-fiber foods like beans, lentils, whole grains, berries, seeds, vegetables and nuts. —Ryan Brennan june 8, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1870, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for whole grain

• aeroplane
• appertain
• ascertain
• capitaine
• cassegrain
• cellophane
• chatelaine
• counterpane
• entertain
• halothane
• hurricane
• hyperplane