quinoa

noun

qui·​noa ˈkēn-ˌwä How to pronounce quinoa (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lunch: legumes accompanied by animal protein or quinoa salad with tuna or salmon, chickpeas, tomato, avocado, and nuts. Ana Morales, Vogue, 5 Apr. 2025 Quinoa Porridge With Pumpkin Seeds, Pears, and Almond Butter Quinoa porridge offers a comforting twist on classic oatmeal using protein-rich quinoa as the base. Devineé Lingo, M.s., Health, 11 Mar. 2025 The restaurant also emphasizes a commitment to sustainability, with compostable bowls and forks and regeneratively grown quinoa. Zachery Eanes, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for quinoa

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quinoa was in 1625

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Cite this Entry

“Quinoa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quinoa. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

quinoa

noun
qui·​noa ki-ˈnō-ə How to pronounce quinoa (audio)
: a goosefoot that occurs in the Andes and has starchy seeds that are used as food and ground into flour
also : its seeds

More from Merriam-Webster on quinoa

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