quinoa

American  

[keen-wah, kee-noh-uh] / ˈkin wɑ, kiˈnoʊ ə /

Also quinua

noun

1. a tall crop plant, Chenopodium quinoa, of the amaranth family, cultivated mainly in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile for its small, ivory-colored seed, which is used as a food staple.

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quinoa British  

/ ˈkiːnəʊə, kwɪˈnəʊə /

noun

1. a grain high in nutrients traditionally grown as a staple food high in the Andes

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Etymology

Origin of quinoa

First recorded in 1615–25; from Spanish quinoa, quínoa, quinua, from Quechua kínua, kinúwa

Explanation

Quinoa is a South American flowering plant and also the name of the starchy, edible grain that's harvested from it. Quinoa, like rice, oats, and barley, is a grain that's delicious when it's boiled or steamed. The part you eat is the protein-rich seed of the quinoa plant, which is closely related to both amaranth and spinach. Quinoa is an ancient food, native to the Andes Mountains and eaten by humans for about 4,000 years. Its name comes from a Spanish spelling of the Incan kinua.

Example Sentences

While Denny’s and other breakfast-centric chains have struggled, brunch specialist First Watch is bringing in customers with Power Breakfast Quinoa Bowls and Carne Asada Breakfast Tacos.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025

Quinoa and many other extremely resilient plants are covered with strange balloon-like 'bladders' that for 127 years were believed to be responsible for protecting them from drought and salt.

From Science Daily • Nov. 22, 2023

If you prefer a black bean burger, Trader Joe’s Quinoa Cowboy Veggie Burger with black beans and roasted corn, and Morningstar Farms Spicy Black Bean Burger, are both winners.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 26, 2023

You can also consider adding in other pre-soaked whole grains, as Ellie does in her Holiday Oat and Quinoa Breakfast Bake.

From Washington Post • Oct. 31, 2022

Quinoa is grown in large quantities, and is a staple article of food among the natives.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 2 "Bohemia" to "Borgia, Francis" by Various