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

Instead, these high-quality vegan bars are loaded with nuts, seeds, quinoa, and healthy fats to sustain cyclists for miles in the saddle. —Joni Sweet, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

Make a hummus bowl with falafel, grilled, baked, or broiled fish or chicken, quinoa or brown rice, cucumber, tomato, and fresh herbs. —Aviv Joshua, Verywell Health, 20 Nov. 2024

Include grains such as quinoa, barley, and millet in your meals. —Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 4 Nov. 2024

Examples are salad with leafy greens, quinoa, roasted chicken, an array of vegetables, and an olive oil based dressing for healthy fats. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, from Quechua kinua

First Known Use

1625, in the meaning defined above

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