buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbə-tər-ˌmilk 

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

Coincidentally, Meyer asked for an ice-cold bottle of buttermilk to quench his thirst after 500-miles of racing on a hot Memorial Day in Indiana. —Bruce Martin, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

The cooked sugar and buttermilk syrup gets poured onto the warm carrot layers, absorbing into the sponge for added moisture and a super tender crumb. —Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 19 Mar. 2025

The pancakes will taste more like classic buttermilk ones. —The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025

And our editors and Test Kitchen pros alike often reach for a boxed mix (although our buttermilk pancake recipe is top notch). —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for buttermilk

• ilk
• silk
• whilk
• wilk

Kids Definition

buttermilk

noun

but·​ter·​milk ˈbət-ər-ˌmilk 

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 

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