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

Our buttermilk pancake recipe comes together in just 25 minutes, and is endlessly customizable, great for a brunch gathering. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 May 2025

Holy Cow Idaho in Nampa has concocted The Cherry Bomb ($16.79 with french fries): one-third pound of grass-fed Wagyu with white cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, buttermilk onion straws, roasted jalapeno aioli and black cherry barbecue sauce on a toasted brioche bun from Gaston’s Bakery. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 28 Apr. 2025

Taco Bell also resurrected Crispy Chicken Nuggets, made with all-white meat chicken, zesty jalapeño buttermilk seasoning, and tortilla chip breading, a cast-off from 2021 menus, now available nationwide. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025

The nuggets are made from all-white meat chicken marinated in jalapeño buttermilk and coated with a blend of breadcrumbs and tortilla chips. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 22 Apr. 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