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

Brush with remaining two tablespoons of buttermilk. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2024

This works as a replacement if only a small amount of buttermilk is needed—and the recipe isn’t dependent on the rich signature buttermilk flavor. —Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2024

The menu includes a 16- to 18-pound smoked turkey, plus cornbread and sausage stuffing, candied Brussels sprouts with applewood smoked bacon, and buttermilk biscuits. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

From a quirky Southern buttermilk brine to the classic brine packed with aromatics, whipping up a wet brine is an important step to sealing in moisture and flavor throughout the turkey. —Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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