buckwheat

noun

buck·​wheat ˈbək-ˌ(h)wēt 

1

: any of a genus (Fagopyrum of the family Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family) of Eurasian herbs with alternate leaves, clusters of apetalous pinkish-white flowers, and triangular seeds

especially : either of two plants (F. esculentum and F. tartaricum) cultivated for their edible seeds

2

: the seed of a buckwheat used as a cereal grain

Examples of buckwheat in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its blend is certified USDA Organic, NSF Gluten-Free, and Non-GMO Project Verified, with 40 traceable raw greens, sprouts, and vegetables—like barley, buckwheat, apple, broccoli, and wheatgrass—plus pre- and probiotics. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025

Advertisement 12 beautiful plants and flowers to enjoy in Southern California in 2025 Here are plants and flowers to enjoy, one for every month of the year, from lilacs, camellias and poinsettias to native buckwheat, wildflowers and toyon. —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Despite its name, buckwheat isn't actually wheat at all. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

The preserve is famous for its wildflowers, many of them endemic to Marin County; rare flowers in the area include the Tiburon paintbrush, Tiburon buckwheat, Marin dwarf flax and the Tiburon jewelflower. —Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Dutch boekweit, from Middle Dutch boecweit, from boec- (akin to Old High German buohha beech tree) + weit wheat — more at beech

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

buckwheat

noun

buck·​wheat ˈbək-ˌhwēt 

-ˌwēt

: either of two plants with white or greenish flowers that are grown for their dark triangular seeds which are used as a cereal grain

also : the seeds of a buckwheat