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

Birds and other pollinators flock to salvia, buckwheat and yarrow. —Dakota Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024

Try buckwheat in place of rice in dishes like grain bowls and soups. 7. —Jillian Kubala, Health, 1 Oct. 2024

This facial oil is packed with a ton of unique ingredients like sea buckthorn oil and buckwheat honey. —Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2024

In lower-traffic area, consider California buckwheat, manzanita, coffeeberry, or coyote brush. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 24 Sep. 2024

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