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• whole wheat
  whole wheat

  noun

  Usually whole wheat the complete kernel of wheat, including all of the germ and bran.
• whole-wheat
  whole-wheat

  adjective

  (of flour, bread, etc) made from the entire wheat kernel

whole wheat

American  

[hohl weet, hweet] / ˈhoʊl ˈwit, ˈʰwit /

Rarely wholewheat or whole-wheat

noun

1. Usually whole wheat the complete kernel of wheat, including all of the germ and bran.

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adjective

1. prepared using the complete wheat kernel.

whole-wheat British  

adjective

1. Also called (esp in Britain and certain other countries): wholemeal. (of flour, bread, etc) made from the entire wheat kernel

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Etymology

Origin of whole wheat

First recorded in 1875–80

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

whole wheat whole-wheat

Adding a slice of a fiber-rich whole wheat bread won’t kill you.

From MarketWatch ● Jun. 21, 2026

Each starter began with one of three substrates: all-purpose flour, bread flour or whole wheat flour.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 21, 2026

She began to cut out ultra-processed foods, instead opting for fresh fruit and vegetables, whole wheat pastas and oats.

From BBC ● Jan. 16, 2026

For the carb factor, a simple water cracker or a whole wheat cracker plus a more seasoned, flavorful bread like a crostini or Triscuit will add a nice variety.

From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2025

Mr. and Mrs. Shannon served scrambled eggs and whole wheat toast.

From "Sleepover Sleuths: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #1" by Carolyn Keene

Ms. Jensen’s whole-wheat dough has added honey and olive oil for softness and to offset the flour’s slight bitterness.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026

Every day, his mother — who cleaned houses and taught piano and guitar — packed him a peanut-butter sandwich on whole-wheat bread for lunch, “which sucks when you’re a kid.”

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 21, 2025

In front of Reilly is an — admittedly — sad-looking spinach omelet, a singular slice of whole-wheat toast on the side.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 26, 2023

The kathi rolls, sprung from house-baked whole-wheat roti, featured fillings including paneer and peppers.

From Washington Post ● Jul. 25, 2022

He spread it happily on some whole-wheat, flax-enriched bread and took a hefty bite.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen

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