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

All grains, like quinoa and oats, are packed with fiber, which is needed for blood sugar control, digestion, and heart health.7 Legumes, like beans and lentils, also contain fiber and are rich in plant protein. —Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 31 Mar. 2025

Choose whole grains like quinoa, oats, wild rice, whole wheat pasta, or farro instead of refined grains like white rice, bread, and pasta.. —Jonathan Purtell, Verywell Health, 21 Mar. 2025

What Should Be on Your Child’s Plate According to Dr. Elias, half of your child’s plate should consist of veggies, one-quarter should be carbohydrates like whole wheat pasta, quinoa, or starchy vegetables like potatoes, and one-quarter protein like chicken, beans, or eggs. —Sherri Gordon, Parents, 20 Mar. 2025

Try swapping refined grains for whole grains like brown rice or quinoa, adding beans or lentils to soups and salads, and snacking on fiber-rich fruits like apples, oranges, or berries. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Mph, Verywell Health, 17 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for quinoa

• boa
• noa
• noah
• shoah
• toa
• bryozoa
• metazoa
• polyzoa
• protozoa
• spermatozoa

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