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

Our favorite bite of the night was a dish with Kaluga caviar served atop a buckwheat blini that floated in a moat of beurre blanc. —Maddy Johnston, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024

Side note: These studiously authentic Japanese buckwheat noodles are gluten-free. —Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

Hunters should remember Alyce clover (not a true clover), beets, buckwheat, cereal rye, cowpeas, iron clay peas, radishes (not a brassica family member), and winter peas can make for great food plot options. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 12 Sep. 2024

There are also buckwheat croissants especially made by artisan baker Gérald Auvrez, who hand-grinds grains in his shop to make them. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 3 Sep. 2019

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