butterfat

noun

but·​ter·​fat ˈbə-tər-ˌfat How to pronounce butterfat (audio)
: the natural fat of milk and chief constituent of butter consisting essentially of a mixture of glycerides (such as those derived from butyric, capric, caproic, and caprylic acids)

Examples of butterfat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The ice cream is much richer, thanks to extra butterfat, and it’s topped with toasted brown rice, amping up the texture quotient. Li Goldstein, Bon Appétit, 16 Feb. 2024 Before grilling, the outside of each slice of bread is brushed with softened European butter, which has higher butterfat than American butter and adds a slight tang. Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024 The result is that the average amount of butterfat in milk produced by U.S. dairy herds has climbed past 4% and above the previous record set during World War II. Kirk Maltais, WSJ, 13 Jan. 2024 What's left is pure butterfat, or as it's often called, liquid gold. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2023 In 2021, Food & Wine magazine named Rockwell the best ice cream in Utah, at least in part due to using 16% butterfat and far less air, making for a dense and delicious blend. Heather L. King, The Salt Lake Tribune, 23 July 2023 Made in small batches daily from Vermont cream, the ice cream is 16 percent butterfat, extra-creamy with little air whipped in. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 Clocking in at 14 percent butterfat, the ice cream is made with milk from New England farms. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023 The small-batch ice cream here is custardy and high in butterfat, made from the farm’s own milk and cream. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 9 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'butterfat.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of butterfat was in 1871

Dictionary Entries Near butterfat

Cite this Entry

“Butterfat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/butterfat. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

butterfat

noun
but·​ter·​fat -ˌfat How to pronounce butterfat (audio)
: the natural fat of milk from which butter is made

Medical Definition

butterfat

noun
but·​ter·​fat -ˌfat How to pronounce butterfat (audio)
: the natural fat of milk and chief constituent of butter consisting essentially of a mixture of glycerides (as butyrin, olein, and palmitin)

More from Merriam-Webster on butterfat

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