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

Add flour mixture to the butter mixture in 3 additions, alternating with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. —Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 11 Dec. 2025

The menu features warm, hearty favorites like buttermilk sea salt biscuits, smoked trout and potato fritters, and rotisserie piri piri chicken. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 29 Nov. 2025

Her Buttermilk Pumpkin Streusel pie has become a fan favorite at Sister Pie, as the tangy buttermilk results in a filling that’s not overly sweet. —Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Nov. 2025

Begin with buttermilk and biscuits, then salad or soup. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 16 Nov. 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