buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk How to pronounce buttermilk (audio)
1
: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream
2
: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk

Examples of buttermilk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Here, all the salad's flavors—garlic, bright lemon, and a tangy buttermilk finish—come together to create a perfectly craveable bite. — Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2026 There’s house-recipe peach cobbler or buttermilk pie for dessert, or the rack near checkout offers Snickers, Payday and Butterfinger bars. — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026 For my grandmother, comfort food was biscuits made just like her mother’s, with buttermilk and White Lily Flour; anything canned from the garden; and livermush. — Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 10 Aug. 2026 Sweet peaches and shrimp are served with buttermilk dressing, bottarga, fresh herbs and cornbread crumbles at Staplehouse. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for buttermilk

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buttermilk was in the 15th century

Rhymes for buttermilk

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Browse Nearby Words

butterman
buttermilk
butter muslin
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buttermilk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buttermilk. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

buttermilk

noun
but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk How to pronounce buttermilk (audio)
1
: the liquid left after the butterfat has been churned from milk or cream
2
: milk from which all or part of the cream has been removed and which has been soured by adding certain bacteria

Medical Definition

buttermilk

noun
but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk How to pronounce buttermilk (audio)
1
: the liquid left after butter has been churned from milk or cream
2
: cultured milk made by the addition of suitable bacteria to sweet milk

More from Merriam-Webster on buttermilk

Nglish: Translation of buttermilk for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buttermilk

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