buckwheat

[ buhk-hweet, -weet ]

noun

1. a plant, especially Fagopyrum esculentum, cultivated for its triangular seeds, which are used as a feed for animals or made into a flour for human consumption, as in pancakes or cereal. Compare buckwheat family.
2. the seeds of this plant.
3. Also buckwheat flour. flour made from seeds of buckwheat.

adjective

1. made with buckwheat flour:

   buckwheat pancakes.

buckwheat

/ ˈbʌkˌwiːt /

noun

1. any of several polygonaceous plants of the genus Fagopyrum , esp F. esculentum , which has fragrant white flowers and is cultivated, esp in the US, for its seeds
2. the edible seeds of this plant, ground into flour or used as animal fodder
3. the flour obtained from these seeds

Other Words From

• buck·wheat·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckwheat¹

1540–50; obsolete buck ( Old English bōc beech ) + wheat; compare Dutch boekweit, German Buchweizen; so called because its seeds resemble beechnuts

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckwheat¹

C16: from Middle Dutch boecweite , from boeke beech + weite wheat , from the resemblance of their seeds to beechnuts

Example Sentences

For those unfamiliar, soba is buckwheat noodle dish—and they proved much more popular amongst the public.

From The Daily Beast

There were no lines even around the stalls serving up free buckwheat and pork gruel.

From The Daily Beast

The buckwheat with pork fat and boiled potatoes is served in cellophane bowls and is fresh and tasty.

From The Daily Beast

Even skeptics are stocking up on a few extra kilos of buckwheat, pasta, oatmeal, rice, and salt “for the black day.”

From The Daily Beast

I would cook her favorite, buckwheat with onions, which I was too busy to make when she was alive.

From The Daily Beast

Woe unto me, etc.—Rather than eat the Czar's buckwheat mush—to study the Bible with its commentaries.

From Project Gutenberg

A piece of bread with a buckwheat cake, if only it can be procured, is a very good dinner indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

Certain fields under the plow are always infested with "blind nettles," others with wild buckwheat, black blindweed, or cockle.

From Project Gutenberg

One October, for many successive days, I saw one carrying into his hole buckwheat which he had stolen from a near field.

From Project Gutenberg

The hulls of corn, and especially the husks of oats and buckwheat, should also be separated in some way.

From Project Gutenberg