quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ˈkēn-ˌwä 

kē-ˈnō-ə

: an annual herb (Chenopodium quinoa) of the amaranth family that is native to the Andean highlands and is cultivated for its starchy seeds which are used as food and ground into flour

also : its seeds

Examples of quinoa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Such products often include rice flour, almond meal and quinoa. —Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

Great options include rice, polenta, mashed potatoes or mashed cauliflower, couscous, quinoa, bulger or other grains or egg noodles. —Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 5 Dec. 2024

Food at the Zing Zing restaurant skews both local and international—the quinoa salad with chicken is a winner—but the clincher is that guests can have a chef come to their villa and cook for them. —Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2024

Instead, these high-quality vegan bars are loaded with nuts, seeds, quinoa, and healthy fats to sustain cyclists for miles in the saddle. —Joni Sweet, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ki-ˈnō-ə 

: a goosefoot that occurs in the Andes and has starchy seeds that are used as food and ground into flour

also : its seeds